Pay the price for crossing the line

Fines & points to hit risk-takers

- BY SEAN MURPHY

PEOPLE who show reckless disregard at railway crossings could be hit with fines of up to €160 and penalty points.

There have been 30 incidents of alleged misuse at some of the country's 861 level crossings this year, compared to 28 last year, according to Iarnrod Eireann.

And some 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year.

Irish Rail released the figures to show that 11 of the 30 incidents in Ireland resulted in crossing damage or injury to the crossing user.

An initiative between the semi-State railway company, An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority proposes fines and penalty points to deter risk-taking.

A fine of €160 could be issued for speeding, an €80 fine could be liable for breaking a red light, and three penalty points could be issued for either offence.

As part of the plan, Garda security cameras will be installed at designated level-crossings to provide automatic fines and penalty points.

Motorists and all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, were yesterday warned that change is coming down the tracks.

Irish Rail's corporate communications manager Barry Kenny explained: "If you cause an incident at a level crossing, you are potentially affecting thousands of people across the network."

Serpentine Crossing in Ballsbridge, Dublin, is one of the busiest in the country. CCTV footage released by Irish Rail shows walkers and cyclists taking risks to cross there and getting caught as the gates close.