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Friday 3 Jun 2016

Caught on camera: Lorry driver ignores red lights and smashes into Sussex level crossing barriers

Region & Route:

| Southern

A lorry driver has been banned from driving for two years after being caught by a police enforcement camera at a level crossing in Sussex.

Jaswinder Singh continued to drive his truck over Nutbourne level crossing despite the flashing warning lights and knocked the barriers down as he did so. Trains and motorists were delayed while Network Rail engineers carried out urgent repairs.

Network Rail's head of safety for the south east, Louise Carvey, said: "The flashing lights at our level crossings are there for a reason - to warn you that a train is coming and that you must stop.

"This driver put lives at risk and it was just luck that nobody was hurt in this incident. Even so, many passengers were delayed as a result. We’re doing all we can to improve safety at our level crossings but we do still depend on drivers making the right decisions."

Network Rail and the British Transport Police are making increasing use of warning light enforcement cameras to improve safety at level crossings.

British Transport Police Inspector Mark Summerfield said: “It is vital that motorists and pedestrians obey signals at level crossings. 

“Trains move at high speeds and can be upon you very quickly. The actions of this driver were dangerous and it is fortunate that nobody was injured because of his actions.”

The incident happened on September 23, 2015.

Mr Singh was sentenced at Hove Crown Court this May, charged with one count of dangerous driving.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to undertake an extended driving test. He was also given a seven-month suspended jail sentence.