Crossing signs being ignored

Authorities investigating a near-collision between a train and school bus at Awakaponga are alarmed at the number of drivers ignoring stop signs on level crossings.

Almost half the drivers at an Eastern Bay of Plenty rail crossing failed to stop to check no trains were coming before crossing - prompting concerns people are relying on local knowledge too much.

A Transport Accident Investigation Commission report released today says the driver of a bus which nearly collided with a train at an Awakaponga crossing saw the train coming but tried to outrun it and narrowly avoided a serious crash.

The report found the bus driver, despite seeing the approaching train, failed to stop at the Caverhill Rd crossing.

It found no fault with the driver of the train.

A survey carried out just days after the accident sparked concern after finding only 55 per cent of cars travelling over the crossing actually stopped before doing so.

Commission investigator Dennis Bevan said it was "not a good figure".

A similar stop rate was recorded at a major intersection with a stop sign further down the road.

The close call at Awakaponga last year was "absolutely a warning" to take notice and comply with stop signs, he said.

He suspected some of those who didn't stop at the crossing relied on local knowledge and the good visibility around the crossing - but said that was no excuse.

"It could have been a lot worse - it was a school bus loaded with students. There is always a risk when you don't stop."

Mr Bevan said just because motorists didn't see trains using crossings regularly, didn't mean they were not used.

People should treat the crossings as though there was always a train around the corner.

In September's incident the train driver saw the bus approaching and sounded the horn twice to warn the bus driver but he continued across the crossing.

It passed close enough in front of the train that the driver was able to read the rear registration number plate.

The driver, who is employed by Tekaraka Motors, had been driving school buses for two years.

He said he made a judgement to cross ahead of the train, which in his opinion he did safely.

He claimed student behaviour was an ongoing problem on the bus and this often distracted the driver. However, he admitted there had been no such distractions at the time of the incident.

Most drivers would not drive the route because of the students' behaviour - something which was been worked on with staff from the school.

Students on the bus at the time of the incident had said some of the passengers chanted encouragement to the driver to cross as the train was approaching while others were scared and some had sworn at the driver. The manager of Tekaraka Motors was unavailable for comment.

The commission made one safety recommendation regarding the storage of train carriages on the backshunt to the north of the crossing.

Mr Bevan said occasionally some rail vehicles were stored there, forcing motorists to edge out on to the tracks to be able to see past.

It was not a factor in the near-miss and has since been fixed, he said.