By XAVIER SMERDON
POLICE from the Transit Safety Division held a safety operation in Werribee last week, urging motorists to take care near a notorious roundabout.
Earlier this year the passenger in a car travelling through the Cherry St roundabout was killed when a train struck the car.
As part of National Rail Safety Week last week, police were monitoring the area, catching three people who were trying to beat the boom gates in a short amount of time.
Sergeant Mark Vonarx told Star he was amazed that some drivers continued to take risks near train tracks.
“I always say it’s better to be late than dead on time. Is it worth risking your life for an extra minute?” Sgt Vonarx said.
“Unfortunately people value their lives less than their pockets.”
The fine for crossing against train signals is more than $700, while drivers can also be fined for stopping on the tracks when they are behind another vehicle.
“It is risky behaviour that comes with a big fine attached, but the biggest deterrent for pedestrians and motorists who do the wrong thing around railway tracks should be the disastrous effects of a collision,” Acting Superintendent Charlie Allen said.
“Trains cannot stop quickly. An average passenger train travelling at 60 kilometres an hour can take 250 metres to stop and cannot swerve to a avoid collision.
“This makes it almost impossible for the driver of a train to stop before hitting you if you are on the tracks.”
