Report Finds Driver May Not Have Seen Warning Lights Before Fatal Collision With Train
NANAIMO -- A car exiting the Island highway onto Dorman Road was struck by the E & N Dayliner on October 14, 2009, killing a couple, and leaving their teenaged son clinging to life.
Now, we know why it happened, or at least the version of events uncovered by the Transportation Safety Board. "There is no information to suggest driver impairment, distraction, or inexperience were contributing factors" TSB Senior Regional Investigator Peter Hickli said at a news conference Thursday in Victoria.
The TSB report says Rosane Pererault who was at the wheel that day came to a stop on the tracks, then tried to accelerate forward before the car was struck. She likely didn't see the flashing lights warning a train was approaching until it was too late to stop in time because of the way the crossing is designed. "The 14 metre distance from the corner to the crossing stop line is insufficient to ensure all vehicles can stop safely in the event of an approaching train" adds Hickli.
The TSB conducted a test after the crash asking drivers who had just exited the Island Highway onto Dorman as Rosane Perrault did before she died, if they had noticed the flashing crossing lights: 68% did -- but possibly too late -- 20% didn't see the lights at all -- and only 12% saw them while still on the highway with plenty of time to brake.
The report says drivers need 18 metres to stop at the crossing after seeing the warning lights, not 14 metres, and many turn off the highway traveling too fast because there is no designated right turn lane. The TSB issued a safety advisory about the crossing last December and since then a passive warning sign has been installed on the highway. "However, other deficiencies identified have not been resolved" says the TSB's Daniel Holbrook.
TSB officials are hesitant to point the finger at who should be implementing their recommendations, but say Southern Rail, the BC Safety Authoritiy, and the City of Nanaimo need to work together. The Mayor says the Harbour City will do its part, but improving the crossing is a challenge. "The highway and the tracks are in very close proximity and a wider turn allowing the driver to see clearly in all directions would be very difficult in such confined territory" says Mayor John Ruttan.
Nonetheless, Ruttan says the city will meet with the province to try to find a way to keep people crossing the tracks safe.
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