From: Michael on
Jock wrote:
> Just realign the crossing so it's at a 90degree (perpendicular) angle of
> approach. Till they investigate this fully we won't know if there are any
> mitigating circumstances to the accident happening. The driver might have
> had some sort of temporary impairment (blinded by the sun?) that caused the
> lapse / prang.
> In any case, it sucks to be any of the people involved, their families,
> friends or the rescue / care contingent.
> Jock
>
>
Could have been something simple such as a loss of concentration or
being distracted, wouldn't have taken much.
Not to mention that he might not have been familiar with road, thats
nearly as bad.
Mick C
From: Noddy on

"ant" <someone(a)spammer.com> wrote in message
news:5cul65F32ke5kU1(a)mid.individual.net...

> Next we'll learn he also has a Mightyboy.

Oi! Nothing wrong with mighty boy's.

I always wanted to have one with a blown big block in it, and make it centre
steering so I could do the "Mighty boy" arm out the window thing on both
sides without needing a passenger :)

--
Regards,
Noddy.


From: Noddy on

"Michael" <mickpc(a)bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:79pai.10826$wH4.3442(a)news-server.bigpond.net.au...

> Could have been something simple such as a loss of concentration or being
> distracted, wouldn't have taken much.
> Not to mention that he might not have been familiar with road, thats
> nearly as bad.

With all due respect Michael, I find it next to impossible to look at any
photo or video I've seen of that particular crossing over the last few days
and conclude that there could be anything other than a dose of rigor mortis
that would prevent the average driver from seeing a train from *miles* away.

The area is as flat, open & clear as you can get making it extremely
difficult for an approaching train to surprise you.

--
Regards,
Noddy.


From: Noddy on

"Daryl Walford" <dwalford(a)internode.on.net> wrote in message
news:136k3cmqv8uhrcc(a)corp.supernews.com...

> Is that what the driver is saying caused the crash?
> If so I don't buy it, I can understand not seeing the actual train but not
> seeing the flashing warning lights because of the sun is difficult to
> believe.

It is indeed.

Given the geography it's difficult to believe that Ray Charles couldn't have
seen the train coming five minutes before it got to the crossing.

> My guess is he wasn't concentrating enough but that said a truck driver
> needs lot of distance to stop so IMO there should be extra warning
> flashing lights at least 200mtrs before crossings like that where the
> speed limit is high or alternatively speed limits on the approach to level
> crossings should be reduced or maybe a combination of both.

The story in this morning's paper (Herald Sun) seemed to be suggesting that
he presumed he was going to beat the train over the crossing but bailed out
at the last minute when he realised he wasn't going to make it. There's also
been plenty of suggestion recently that such practices are relatively common
in country areas as some truck drivers would rather take the risk than have
to stop and waste ten minutes going through 18 gears to get back up to
speed.

It's *way* over time for tachographs to be mandatory in all heavy vehicles.

--
Regards,
Noddy.


From: Noddy on

"Michael" <mickpc(a)bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:IPoai.10818$wH4.1547(a)news-server.bigpond.net.au...

> How many Big W semi's do u see on the road mate, how many of these deliver
> to your door.

None deliver to *my* door, but they all deliver to the stores.

> Get a clue.

Um, perhaps it's *you* that needs to get a clue fuckstick. If rail transport
was the logical answer, why do you think it's *not* the current number one
choice?

Take your time....

--
Regards,
Noddy.