Calls for boom gates at level crossings in wake of crash

Professional drivers in reaction to the latest level crossing accident are calling for road safety improvements aimed at protecting Cairns drivers.

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PROFESSIONAL drivers want boom gates at railway crossings in Cairns where there have been repeat crashes with trains.

It comes after a family were lucky to be alive after their car and the Kuranda Scenic Railway train collided at Arthur St on Thursday morning.

Cairns Taxis managing director Layne Gardiner said level crossing upgrades might come at great expense but if just one life was saved it would be worth it.

“What is the cost of someone’s life,” he said.

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“They have to stop these things from happening, if one person dies, that’s far too many.”

Mr Gardiner said he supported the installation of boom gates at railway crossings on James, Draper and Arthur streets and Collins Ave.

Queensland Rail chief executive officer Nick Easy urged Cairns drivers to obey train signs at level crossings.

“The collision at the Arthur Street level crossing on Thursday demonstrated the terrifying consequences of failing to stop at an activated level crossing,” he said.

In the 2017-18 financial year, there were 13 vehicle near miss or collision incidents throughout Cairns.

Mr Easy said following the installation of eight CCTV cameras at four Cairns level crossings in June 2018, the figure dropped to just one near miss incident in 2018-19.

“This significant decrease suggests the CCTV cameras are having a positive effect on motorists’ behaviour in the region,” he said.

RACQ head of technical and safety policy Steve Spalding stopped short of supporting boom gates at Cairns level crossings but said “in general signalised crossings with boom gates provide a higher level of protection”.

Four people were injured after a level crossing accident in Cairns North on Thursday. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

Cairns MP Michael Healy said combating distracted drivers on the road was proving to be a huge challenge.

“It’s a challenge for people to drive cars but we have to be responsible when we are,” he said.

“If we were to put them (boom gates) throughout the entire city it would come at a huge cost and slow things down,” he said.

Originally published as Calls for boom gates at level crossings in wake of crash