Transport and Public Works MEC Angered by this Morning's Accident

Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle is outraged by this morning's accident in which a woman was killed when her car collided with a passenger train at the level crossing between Paarl and Klapmuts.

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works has established that the woman may have ignored all the warning signals prior to the accident because the level crossing has all the statutory and legally requisite signage.

It is extremely disappointing that some motorists continue to take risks by attempting to outrun trains when approaching level crossings, even, more so in the aftermath of the tragic accident in Blackheath. One would have thought that motorists would now be extra cautious when approaching level crossings.

People need to realise that there is no way they can outpace a train approaching a level crossing. They need to be patient to let the train pass and not take risks that put their lives and those of train passengers in danger. It does not take more than three minutes for a train to pass a level crossing. All they need to do is be responsible enough not to take that risk. Those few minutes can be the difference between life and death.

Minister Carlisle also emphasised that while the provincial government was currently working on plans to eradicate level crossings accidents little purpose will be served unless motorists change their attitude.

"We have set up a team to find lasting solutions to prevent accidents at level crossings. This team will guide us on what to do next to ensure that we don't have these accidents anymore. We can call for volunteers to assist in manning level crossings, introduce more speed humps closer to the level crossings, and enforce and warn motorists about the dangers of attempting to outrun trains at level crossings as much as we can but if motorists don't change their attitude we will continue to have avoidable fatalities said the Minister".