The ATSB has found that the driver of a motor vehicle fatally
injured in a collision with a train on 5 June 2006, was under the
influence of cannabis and probably distracted by his mobile
telephone at about the time of the accident.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its report
into the accident which occurred at a level crossing on Thurgoona
Road on the northern outskirts of Albury at approximately 1:22 pm
on 5 June 2006. The 1986 Holden Commodore drove at a steady speed
of less than 60 km/h into the path of a Sydney bound CountryLink
XPT passenger train which was travelling at between 120 and 130
km/h at the point of collision.
The Commodore was destroyed by the collision and the 19 year old
male driver was thrown from the car and fatally injured. There were
no physical injuries to witnesses, crew or passengers of the
train.
The investigation found that the level crossings flashing lights
and warning bells were operating at the time of the collision and
that the train driver had sounded the trains horn when he realised
the car was not going to stop at the lights.
Toxicology results from the fatally injured driver were positive
for cannabis. The concentration of the drug in the drivers blood
exceeded levels where studies have indicated performance impairment
becomes truly prominent across all drivingrelated performance
measures.
The investigation also found that the motor vehicle drivers
mobile telephone probably rang at or around the time that the car
was approaching Thurgoona Road level crossing. While the driver did
not answer the call, the ringing telephone probably distracted him
from the driving task.
The ATSB concluded it was likely that combined, these two
factors contributed to the motor vehicle driver not responding
appropriately to the level crossing flashing lights and bell, and
subsequently driving into the path of the train.
The ATSB has recommended raising public awareness of the risks
associated with cannabis use and mobile telephones with respect to
driving performance. The investigation also noted that at the
completion of the Albury Wodonga Hume Freeway Project (scheduled
for mid 2007), the road bridge would result in the closure of the
level crossing, achieve grade separation and eliminate the risk of
future level crossing accidents at Thurgoona Road.