Calls to test learners on dangers of rail crossings

Compulsory driving test questions should be introduced to stop motorists dicing with death at Britain's sixth most abused level crossing in north Shropshire, rail chiefs said today.

Network Rail wants the driving theory test to include compulsory questions on level crossings to enforce learner drivers' understanding of the Highway Code.

Latest figures from Network Rail confirm Wem level crossing, in Aston Street/Soulton Road, as the sixth most abused in the country and bosses want to change drivers' habits to avert a potential disaster.

Last month 53 drivers had been caught jumping the lights and dashing over the tracks since last August, when a campaign to educate drivers on using the crossing safely was launched.

The drive for change comes as national figures reveal 140 motorists continue to narrowly avoid a potentially fatal collision with a train after breaking the law at level crossings.

In total, there were more than 3,200 incidents of misuse at level crossings last year and about 95 per cent of incidents at level crossings in England and Wales are down to motorist or pedestrian misuse or error.

Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher said: "I'm confident lives will be saved if motorists learn how to safely use level crossings from the day they pass their test."

Wem mayor Doug Cooley said today: "I welcome anything that makes people drive correctly on the roads because there is no excuse for abusing traffic laws."

British Transport Police Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther also welcomed the idea.