http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/05/01/4015853/truck-driver-charged-in-monroe.html
Yet another 18 wheel Don Quixote tilting at the windmills of the iron horse.
Trucks and trains just can’t seem to get along in the Charlotte area.
Thou shalt not drive onto the tracks until there is room to drive off on the other side.
The article seems to indicate the highway being only two lanes is the problem, but the driver was cited.
Two or four lanes, don’t be on the tracks when a train is approaching!
CZ
From all the articles I have read and seen from several sources:
When the lights activated the driver tried to cross the tracks before the gates came down but other traffic stopped in front of him.
No doubt he is at fault, not the road. Looking back on the situation, he could have waited about 3 minutes and proceeded safely.
CZ
The article also mentions that the driver couldn’t see the train for the trees.
In Japan they put a mirror (front-reflecting on steel) where the oncoming rubber-wheel pilots can see up the tracks. Too bad we can’t do the same thing here without having some tagger paint it - or some (fillintheblank) steal it outright. Not to mention the amateur marksmen who want to put bulletholes in everything…
Still doesn’t absolve the driver.
I noticed that the train, “Collided with,” the truck. At least that doesn’t sound as if the train CAUSED the collision. Maybe the press is getting educated…
Chuck
I will start my comments on this with this: It is absolutely the responsibility of a commercial driver (truck driver) to insure that ones vehicle will not obstruct a railroad crossing. IE DO NOT ENTER A RAILROAD CROSSING UNLESS YOU CAN CLEAR IT WITHOUT STOPPING.
Having said that I will comment on mitigating factors. And I invite people to look at the location:
The truck was hit from the left rear of the vehicle. This crossing is at a bad angle.
As described in the article the view of the tracks are obscured by trees. This does not absolve in any way the responsibility of the driver.
The truck on impact was then pushed into several other vehicles.
By good fortune no one was seriously injured(the driver I think was a little banged up)
The other thing I will say is this. The type of trailer involved is the type that will derail a train. A van type trailer(the enclosed type either a dry van or a refrigerated tr
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/21/4179203/man-killed-by-amtrak-train-near.html
Another pedestrian hit by the Carolinian.
So, why was he on the tracks? The article doesn’t mention location of pedestrian crossings, ‘do it yourself’ (unauthorized) paths or whether he was using the rail to practice a balance beam routine.
The result proves that Bob Heinlein had it right - stupidity is the only capital crime. Anyone who approaches a railroad track has to be as cautious, and aware, as somebody petting a porcupine. A moment’s inattention can be terminal.
Do I practice what I preach? I spent countless hours railfanning routes with (by American standards) astonishing traffic density. As of today, I’m 76 years old and still breathing.
Chuck