A few accident research facts on Rail
Most crashes involved cars, four-wheel drives, vans and utilities and a study shows that the driver’s failure to take enough care or action was the major cause.
A few accident research facts [Australia]:
- More than 80% occurred during daylight, in fine weather and on a straight road; (In South Africa is the highest accident rate is at 19:00 and there is normally a correlation between road accidents and level crossing accidents)
- Two-thirds were in country areas; (South African hot spots are in the Rustenburg and Witbank areas.)
- 44% cent happened at crossings without an electronic warning system such as flashing lights and/or boom gates; (South Africa has very few fitted with flashing warning lights and less with booms.)
- More than half occurred where there was a warning system – including 10 per cent where there were boom gates;
- Two-thirds of the drivers and motor cyclists were hit by the front of the train, not running into the side of it; and,
- Heavy trucks were involved in about 15 per cent of fatal rail crossing crashes.
- (Because of the few level crossing deaths as compared to road deaths it is difficult to obtain money for building bridges to eliminate level crossings, but because of the severity of the incidents - they are all widely reported in the media.)
Full story: http://www.arrivealive.co.za/pages.aspx?i=2863
Attend Africa Rail 2012 – get more information here.
