Change all road/rail "intersections" to traffic lights. Change the barrier arms to those pop-up solid poles that I've seen in use in some central London bus only lanes. They are quicker to operate and will actually prevent people going through the crossing.

Of course, you'll still end up with some plonker trying it and getting themselves hung up to dry.

Looking at the stats that came out last week about suicide, its looks like half of those deaths you mention Dave, were on purpose. Maybe more.

Yeah, it's a real problem.

I'm sure everyone has a story about watching someone zig-zag around the barriers almost under the wheels of a train.

Mind you, my heart was in my mouth when I was halfway across the North Isaland main trunk line at Buckland when the bells went. Of course, I had a good 30 seconds to spare, but it was still a shock.

I think the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons even has a position paper on it. (I remember them weighing in when Auckland City tried to close a level crossing.)

I feel quite sorry for the train drivers. Not much they can do, I reckon, but they have to live with the memory of it.

Fatality on railroad crossing with ringing bells and flashing red lights = Darwin Award.

@Darth Michael #4 - you beat me to it! There are certain things we really can't protect people from their own stupidity on.

Darth I totally agree with you. These are the kinds of people that go to the beach during Tsunami warnings and would probably climb an erupting volcano to get a better look.

If people are stupid enough to try and drive infront of a train and park on tram tracks then they get exactly what they deserve.

Sounds like the old story about the warship and the lighthouse. Unfortunately, unlike that chestnut, these people are real and loose on our roads:

http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthouse.asp

Level crossings are not dangerous. Nor are intersections, fog, rain, black ice, etc etc etc...

What are dangerous are the moron drivers that do not drive to conditions and don't take precautions.

If you're driving over train tracks then assume there is a train coming. If it has a barrier arm and lights, assume they are broken and slow down and check.

If you drive into an area where you cannot see the hazards (eg around a blind corner or into an intersection obscured by trees or buildings, then assume the worst. Assume the road has been washed out or a car has broken down or a cyclist is lying injured in the road. You always need to be able to stop for hazards. Until you can confirm otherwise, assume they are there.

@ Darth #4, LB #5 and McFail #6. Advances in medical trauma care have somewhat negated the Darwin effect.

And there still doesn't appear to be a cure for stupidity (other than death).

I agree it is darwin award worthy.. I mean.. a train is not a road user.

On the plus side we could be in for some stupidity in action as the Onehunga line in Auckland is opening in a month or so and there are 8 level crossings that will be active that have been inactive for like thirty years. Annoyingly it will add to road fatalities for the year but auckland city is already f****d so bring it on.