Why is it only 30 penalty points for running an activated rail crossing as opposed to an instant loss of license? We are far too lenient on car drivers in this country - even traffic fines are more like common bills.

It seems the only way to get people out of their cars is to force them out of their cars - make them sit the learner test again, get their learner license (if they don't actually fail it the second time around ), then do the whole L-plate rigmarole all over again, then P plates, then finally the full driver's license. Maybe over the next year or two while on a restricted license again they might actually learn something.

Of course, if 90% of bus services out there weren't completely impractical, slow (all over the place with spaghetti-like route maps) and under-serviced, people might actually use them. Having ten minute trains means nothing if there are no other ways to access the train station aside from a 35 minute walk, a two-hourly bus 72 minutes away or a $20 taxi, or commuting entirely by private car to and from the station, defeating the purpose of using public transport in the first place.

Its all well and good to go on about how there is already measures in place, but obviously they aren't working 100% of the time.
No, you can not protect idiots from themselves, but you should be trying to protect innocent people/victims from the actions of idiots. I don't want to be killed at work because some moron decided to run a level crossing!

We don't live in a perfect world where only idiots cause harm to themselves, they can harm many others.

Yes, they aren't working 100% of the time because people fail to stop at level x-ings....they either try and race trains, or simply do not look. That's why. Pure and simple.

What planet am I from? One in which I live in the practical world, not the theoretical.

Ho Ho Ho. If you are so practical, get off your acre and tell us exactly what should be done, instead of the "something should be done" routine.

Ho Ho Ho. If you are so practical, get off your acre and tell us exactly what should be done, instead of the "something should be done" routine.

I am not a road or railway engineer, so I will never know exactly what should be done, nor is it my job to.

I am saying any suggestions that are brought forward by the government etc. should be looked at and considered, such as the ideas brought forward by Gwiwer, rather than having your attitude of 'lets do nothing and watch the carnage'.

Seems everytime we have a level crossing accident Railpage goes into overdrive.  Yes such accidents are always serious and tragic.  There is however only so much we can do to make things safe.  The reality is we rely on drivers to be attentive, drive to the road conditions and obey warning signs and other devices.  Most level crossings in Victoria have been assessed by a systen known as ALCAMS.  That uses are large number of criteria to assess the safety of a level crossing and what degree of level crossing "protection" is required.

Without doubt this incident will be reviewed by the police and other authorities and the findings if any acted upon.

Can we "move on" as everyone so frequently says.

Seems every time we have a level crossing accident Railpage goes into overdrive.

Yes; complete with armchair experts.

Can we "move on" as everyone so frequently says.

An excellent idea.

So how did the Overland move on? Did they repair the loco or was it replaced?
Did the passengers just sit around on the train at the LX for 5 hours? Fun

5 hours delay at a level crossing might still have been quicker than locating sufficient road coaches, getting them to the scene, transferring passengers then driving on.  As noted in earlier posts the train reached Adelaide Keswick just shy of 5 hours late so it was able to continue and the rescue locomotive which was despatched from Melbourne returned there at about 4pm.

So how did the Overland move on? Did they repair the loco or was it replaced?
Did the passengers just sit around on the train at the LX for 5 hours? Fun

If one botheres to read the information posted in this very thread you'd have found ALL the answers to your questions!
1. Loco was replaced, train proceeded to Adelaide arriving 5 hours behind schedule. (post #6)
2. Loco replaced with NR8 (post #6)
3. Passengers transferred to buses Post #1 Age link)