Latest news with #collisions
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
New KiwiRail survey shows nearly half fail to stop or prepare to stop at rail crossings
The report says a simple 'Look for Trains' sign had significantly higher success getting drivers to stop and look. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon Nearly half of motor vehicles fail to stop, or prepare to stop when approaching level crossings in research commissioned by KiwiRail. They were least likely to do so where there was just Give Way signs in place. The engineering and professional services consulting firm WSP observed more than 3600 drivers - 47 percent failed to stop at crossings with Stop signs, or were ready to stop at Give Way signs. Earlier research had found more than half of the deaths in serious level crossing collisions over a ten-year period occurred at crossings with Stop or Give Way signs. There have been 25 collisions at crossings in the last two years. The report said 'Look for Trains' signs had significantly higher success getting drivers to stop and look - and a major recommendation of the review was to remove all Give Way signs for Stop signs. Chief operations officer at KiwiRail Paul Ashton told Nine to Noon the report helped them to further understand the challenges around passive crossings. A passive rail crossing is where there is a stop sign, give way sign or look for train sign. Crossings with barrier arms, bells and flashing lights are known as active protection crossings. "This research focused on the stop and give-way signs because there is evidence showing that compliance to the stop and give-way have been very very low, and the results of the survey re-enforce that we are just on 50 percent of people are failing to to that. "From a KiwiRail perspective this is both disappointing and very disturbing, disturbing on a number of fronts." Ashton said it was mostly in the rural areas where the passive signs were in place. He said in these places people were "sailing through" the crossings, often not slowing down or checking before crossings the tracks. The compliance crossing active crossings is much higher, Ashton said. "It is much higher because you have physical obstacles like barriers arms coming down to stop the traffic moving, but unfortunately we have had situations where people have driven around the barriers and we've had some very tragic incidents in the last 12 months as a result of that." To improve compliance, he said, they would be looking to add 'Look for Trains' signs at more crossings. "But it is still reliant on the responsibility of every vehicle driver to follow the rules, which is no different to us in our cars everyday at stop signs or give-way signs on the public roads." He said collisions and near misses also took a serious toll on KiwRail staff. There are 550 passive rail crossings and 750 active protective crossings around the country. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Police urge motorcyclists to ride with care following 3 fatal crashes
A motorcycle lays on James Mowatt Trail at 41 Avenue SW in Edmonton on June 20, 2024, where its rider died after crashing. (Galen McDougall / CTV News Edmonton) Now that summer is in full swing, Edmonton police are urging motorcyclists to be careful on roads following three fatal collisions at the start of the season. 'Three fatal motorcycle collisions and multiple serious injuries so far this season are a sobering reminder that even experienced riders can misjudge conditions,' said Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Sgt. Kerry Bates from the Traffic Safety Unit in a statement. 'A little extra caution can save lives.' Data from EPS shows that motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries have been on the rise in recent years: 2020: 2 fatalities, 9 serious injuries 2021: 2 fatalities, 10 serious injuries 2022: 1 fatality, 20 serious injuries 2023: 3 fatalities, 21 serious injuries 2024: 7 fatalities, 28 serious injuries Police are reminding riders to watch for hazards like sand, gravel, uneven pavement and potholes. Protective gear like an approved helmet, jacket, gloves and boots can make the difference between a close call and a life-changing injury, said EPS, adding that riders should always gear up for every ride, no matter how short. 'As a motorcyclist, you need a heightened sense of awareness. You have to be constantly on the lookout for other vehicles that might not see you,' said Bates. 'Scan the road, anticipate hazards, and practice slow-speed maneuvers and emergency stops whenever possible.' Vehicle drivers should also be extra cautious as well, said EPS, reminding drivers to double-check blind spots, use turn signals early and give motorcyclists plenty of space. 'A motorcycle may be closer than it appears, and riders are far less protected than those in a car or truck,' said the statement. EPS said it will be monitoring roads citywide and is reminding that riders must have a class 6 licence to operate a motorcycle. Riding without a proper licence class can result in a fine.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
2 drivers charged with careless driving after separate crashes on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to two separate collisions on Hwy. 417 Tuesday morning – one at Bronson Avenue and one at Terry Fox Drive. (OPP/X) Two drivers are facing careless driving charges after two separate crashes on Highway 417 in Ottawa. Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to two separate collisions in the westbound lanes of Hwy. 417 Tuesday morning – one at Bronson Avenue and one at Terry Fox Drive. 'At one of the collisions, a driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries,' the OPP said on X. A photo on social media showed a tractor-trailer crashed into a concrete barrier on the side of the road. #OttawaOPP members are on scene at two separate collisions on #Hwy417. Both are causing significant slowdowns. Both are westbound, one at Bronson and the other at Terry Fox. At one of the collisions, a driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries. Two drivers are… — OPP East Region (@OPP_ER) May 27, 2025 Two drivers are facing charges of careless driving, which includes a $490 fine and three demerit points. 'We know driving through Ottawa highways are slow at best of times due to ongoing construction, but please slow down and give first responders and tow truck operators space to work,' OPP Const. Michael Fathi said on X.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Multiple impaired driving offenses reported in N.S.
Atlantic Watch A string of collisions in Nova Scotia sparks concerns about ongoing impacts of impaired driving.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- CTV News
‘It has to stop': Advocates warn impacts of impaired driving are far reaching
A string of collisions in Nova Scotia sparks concerns about ongoing impacts of impaired driving.
