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The technology incorporated into the enforcement vehicle was developed and fitted by Kent- based Futronics - designers and leading manufacturers of emergency vehicle command and control systems.

Prosecutions are processed in a similar way to speeding offences. Any revenue generated as a result of fines

LEVEL CROSSING MISUSE (BY COUNTY)

The following incidents were reported in the region in 2010:

HAMPSHIRE:

- There are over 330 level crossings on the Wessex route, which covers long-distance services from London Waterloo through Surrey and Hampshire and suburban services in west London
- 34 reported incidents of misuse
- 2 near misses with pedestrians
- 3 near misses with vehicles
- 2 incidents of vehicles striking barriers or other level crossing equipment

SURREY:

- There are over 330 level crossings on the Wessex route, which covers long-distance services from London Waterloo through Surrey and Hampshire and suburban services in west London
- 41 reported incidents of misuse
- 2 near misses with pedestrians
- 4 incidents of vehicles striking barriers or other level crossing equipment

EAST SUSSEX:

- 219 level crossings on the Sussex route
- 75 reported incidents of misuse
- 7 near misses with pedestrians
- 2 near misses with vehicles
- 11 incidents of vehicles striking barriers or other level crossing equipment

WEST SUSSEX:

- 219 level crossings on the Sussex route
- 159 reported incidents of misuse
- 19 near misses with pedestrians
- 5 near misses with vehicles
- 18 incidents of vehicles striking barriers or other level crossing equipment

EXAMPLES OF LEVEL CROSSING OFFENCES / PROSECUTIONS:

Example 1 - Yapton, Sussex

On 3 September 2010, a vehicle attempted to cross the level crossing at Yapton in Sussex, as the barriers were lowering, struck one of the barriers and knocked it off.

The road and railway remained were closed for approximately two hours while the damage was fixed. The incident resulted in 58 trains being cancelled, 30 trains having to start or terminate early and 271 trains delayed by a total of 4,300 minutes. The incident cost Network Rail in the region of £150,000 in repairs and compensation payments to train operators.

A 51 year old man has been charged with the following offences in connection with the incident:

- Failing to comply with a red traffic light at an automatic level crossing
- Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention
- Dangerous driving

Example 2 – Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex

On 27 February 2010 a motorist attempted to cross the level crossing at Shoreham-by-Sea after the lights had started flashing. As the barriers started to lower, the driver reversed back over the crossing into the barrier which was already fully lowered. The road was closed for approximately 50 minutes and trains had to be cautioned over the level crossing resulting in delays.

The motorist had their driving license revoked.

Example 3 – Portslade, Sussex

On 8 September 2009, the driver of a skip lorry swerved around another lorry waiting at Portslade level crossing and struck the lowering barrier causing a significant amount of damage. The road was closed for approximately four hours and trains had to be cautioned over the level crossing resulting in delays to 32 trains.

The driver pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and received 150 hours of community service, had his licence revoked, disqualified from driving 12 months and ordered to re-take his driving test, and fined £500.

The Highway Code

Level crossings

291
A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramway line. Approach and cross it with care. Never drive onto a crossing until the road is clear on the other side and do not get too close to the car in front. Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing.

292
Overhead electric lines. It is dangerous to touch overhead electric lines. You MUST obey the safe height warning road signs and you should not continue forward onto the railway if your vehicle touches any height barrier or bells. The clearance available is usually 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) but may be lower.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD 2002 reg 17(5)]

293
Controlled crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights and an audible alarm for pedestrians.

They may have full, half or no barriers.

• you MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights
• you MUST stop behind the white line across the road

• keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on
• do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing
• you MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash. This means another train will be passing soon
• only cross when the lights go off and barriers open
• never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because a train is approaching
• at crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 40]

294
Railway telephones. If you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle, a long, low vehicle with a risk of grounding, or herding animals, a train could arrive before you are clear of the crossing. You MUST obey any sign instructing you to use the railway telephone to obtain permission to cross. You MUST also telephone when clear of the crossing if requested to do so.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 16(1)]

295
Crossings without traffic lights. Vehicles should stop and wait at the barrier or gate when it begins to close and not cross until the barrier or gate opens.

296
User-operated gates or barriers. Some crossings have ‘Stop’ signs and small red and green lights. You MUST NOT cross when the red light is showing, only cross if the green light is on. If crossing with a vehicle, you should

• open the gates or barriers on both sides of the crossing
• check that the green light is still on and cross quickly
• close the gates or barriers when you are clear of the crossing

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 52(2)]

297
If there are no lights, follow the procedure in Rule 295. Stop, look both ways and listen before you cross. If there is a railway telephone, always use it to contact the signal operator to make sure it is safe to cross. Inform the signal operator again when you are clear of the crossing.

298
Open crossings. These have no gates, barriers, attendant or traffic lights but will have a ‘Give Way’ sign. You should look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming before you cross.

299
Incidents and breakdowns. If your vehicle breaks down, or if you have an incident on a crossing you should

• get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately
• use a railway telephone if available to tell the signal operator. Follow the instructions you are given
• move the vehicle clear of the crossing if there is time before a train arrives. If the alarm sounds, or the amber light comes on, leave the vehicle and get clear of the crossing immediately

237
Driving in adverse weather conditions

If you are dazzled by bright sunlight, slow down and if necessary, stop.v