By LAURA WAKELY
DRIVERS and pedestrians are putting lives at risk at the Anderson Rd level crossing in Sunshine.
Derrimut MP Telmo Languillier captured footage last week of a truck driving around the boom gates when they were down while the warning bells ring and lights flash.
The footage shows a man jumping out of the cab of a truck, which appears to be a white waste-disposal vehicle with green and yellow stripes, to direct the truck around the gates.
He said he also saw several pedestrians, some with children, running around the gates
Mr Languillier said delays on the crossing could be up to 20 minutes but it was no excuse for the behaviour.
“I actually said to people wait, don’t cross,” he said.
“This is an accident in the waiting. This is happening almost every day.”
The Regional Rail Link Authority is currently working on a grade separation of the Anderson Rd crossing.
Public Transport Victoria spokesperson David Stockman slammed the behaviour of the driver in the video.
“People engaging in this practice are risking their own lives and those of train passengers,” Mr Stockman said.
“As we have seen recently, ignoring warnings at level crossings can lead to tragic circumstances.
“As we approach Rail Safety Week (August 13 – 19) we would remind motorists and pedestrians that safety controls at level crossings should always be respected.
“It should not be up to police to enforce laws which simply require common sense.”
