MBTA cracking down on grade crossing violators

December 22, 2008 03:04 PM Email| Comments (8)| Text size – +

(MBTA Video)

A surveillance camera caught the accident today at Abington station.

By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff

Video of a car getting swiped this morning by a commuter train in Abington dramatized a new MBTA crackdown on drivers who ignore rail crossings.

Jean Dera, 45, narrowly escaped disaster, police said. The front of his car was torn off by the train at the North Avenue crossing yesterday, at 8:14 a.m.

"He backed up a few feet, but didn't back up far enough," said Sergeant Preston Horton of the MBTA Transit Police.

Dera received a $200 ticket. He was not harmed, but his car bumper and front panels were ripped off.

"He was extremely lucky," Horton said.

A similar incident a few weeks ago spurred the T to start a pilot program this month to monitor rail crossings on the South Shore several times per week, with the help of local police. Since Dec. 9, 40 drivers have been cited, including several bus and fuel truck drivers who are required by law to stop at crossings even if the gates are not down.

Rather than come to a complete stop, the drivers would slow down and do a "Hollywood roll," Horton said. Fuel truck and bus drivers can be fined up to $500, other drivers up to $200. Many motorists received warnings, Horton said.

The crackdown is slated to run through Dec. 31, with officers in reflective vests stationed at several crossings in Abington, Braintree, and Weymouth.

"People just need to stop. We have lights flashing, we have gates...engineers have to [sound] horns," Horton said. "It's not something to be playing with."

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8 comments so far...

This is the second time in less than a month in Abington. Regardless of who is at fault this should not be happening. The T should step it up and install better gates.
Maybe they should have a free style contest between conductors or a benefit concert and build the gate with the proceeds.

Posted by EliotsCabin December 22, 08 11:23 AM

oh the humanity...another senseless fenderbender

Posted by john December 22, 08 12:05 PM

So if you slide onto the tracks by accident they fine you $500? Is that safety or revenue generation, you tell me?

Posted by no December 22, 08 12:57 PM

"the T should inhstall better gates." are you kidding me? would love to meet the half wit who wrote that. yeah, it's the T's fault that morons ignore all of the warnings (bells, lights, gates) at a RR crossing.

Posted by jeremey December 22, 08 02:01 PM

Typical government response: poorly plowed & sanded roads leads to a car sliding onto tracks with the driver being fined. The driver should turn around and sue the government for creating the life-threatening situation, damages to personal property and whatever else he/she can come up with. Those who ignore the signals endangering others should receive the maximum penalty. Is this is yet another poor judgment call by the police here, or is it going to become the norm?

Posted by Common Sense December 22, 08 02:24 PM

The man was at fault and should have the right to drive taken away. Isn't time we took reponsibitility for our actions and stop blaming everyone else. When you see a RR Crossings it means one thing!!!

Posted by grampian December 22, 08 04:03 PM

I agree with Jeremy. We are accountable for our own behavior. It is not the "t's" responsibility to make sure I stop; it is mine.

Posted by Cindy December 22, 08 04:21 PM

Flashing lights, bells, and a mechanical gate. What more do people want an electric fence and missle defense system? There is no cure for stupid except natural selection which of course leads to lawsuits and outrage.

Just like paper beats rock, and scissor beats paper, TRAIN ALWAYS WINS! You cannot get hurt unless you get near the tracks when a train is coming.

The T should make drivers compensate them for all the money lost on "On Time Guarantee" claims filed by people on the train who are delayed by auto drivers acts of stupidity!

Posted by B December 23, 08 03:46 PM