Level crossing madness

There were 14 crashes and 13 deaths last year and 140 near misses between vehicles and trains. Network Rail recorded 3,200 incidents of misuse, but said the actual figure was likely to be higher.

The rail operator said motorists were "too often playing Russian roulette with a 200-tonne train" - and losing.

Whereas car drivers get hit by trains because of their own deliberate stupidity, pedestrians can die because in a car-centric society

barriers and warning systems at the level crossing are designed for car drivers and provide much less warning for pedestrians