Passing Stationary Trams

natedogg118 on 17/06/2017 - 07:59
Last edited 17/06/2017 - 11:07 by 1 other user

I travel on the 72 tram route every weekday and share the tram with a wide range of passengers, including children on their way to school.

In the last 2 years i have nearly been hit by cars driving past the tram as i was embarking or disembarking at least 6-7 times, sometimes traveling at relatively low speeds, simply ignoring passengers, or traveling at speeds of 50-60 KM to get past the tram.

I have also witnessed various other passengers nearly fall victim to drivers nearly mowing them down for sake of getting to their next red light quicker…

Putting aside my frustration of how my own personal safety has repeatedly jeopardized for a moment. I am a father, and my daughter will no doubt be put into the same dangerous position when riding trams when she begins going to school. This scared me to death.

Taken from http://www.yarratrams.com.au/using-trams/tram-safety/driving…

  • It is illegal for a car to pass a tram which has stopped and opened its doors. Yarra Trams staff can and do report vehicles for passing stationary trams and these reports are forwarded to Victoria Police for their action.

  • You must stop level with the rear of a tram at a tram stop until the doors close and passengers have cleared the road. Fine $292

  • Once the tram's doors are closed and it is safe to proceed, you must not exceed 10km/h while passing a stationary tram at a tram stop. Fine $292

What baffles me is why trams simply don't have cameras installed on them to capture drivers committing these crimes? And it is a crime, a crime that could very easily result in the loss of someones life.

I'm sure that many drivers will voice their frustration of having to deal with trams on the road, and it is a frustration i experience myself as a driver… However i do not value the saving of a few seconds i would potentially save by getting past a tram over the potential injury, or loss of life of another human being.

Automotive

Related Stores

Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams

Comments

  • Sage on 17/06/2017 - 08:37

    Never had this issue.

  • kyle on 17/06/2017 - 08:46
    +2

    Should also comment on the tram passengers who dangerously walk in front of or behind the tram after getting off to get to the other side of the road.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/06/2017 - 10:07

    The E class trams have outboard cameras that can capture incidents like this.

  • garffi on 17/06/2017 - 11:13

    Some people just don't know the road rules…

  • Baebs on 17/06/2017 - 11:17
    +2

    You shouldn't have to worry about your life if you look left/right before departing a tram.

    Bottom line is: never trust city traffic.

  • poboy on 17/06/2017 - 12:10
    +1

    Trams often fail to give ample warning they are about to stop, relying only on brake lights that are either difficult to see or don't have discernable changes between braking and not braking.

    Yes, motorists must be vigilant, but tram safety assets do themselves no favours.

    • ascorbic on 18/06/2017 - 14:23

      What about the passengers standing at the kerb, the flag signs and the flashing indicators on the tram?

      Even if there are no passengers waiting at the tram stop, it should be no surprise when a tram opens its doors to let someone off. They don't exactly have short braking distances so when a tram reaches crawling speed, that should be a hint it's about to stop.

      • poboy on 18/06/2017 - 17:05

        the flag signs and the flashing indicators on the tram?

        Flags are only deployed when the tram has stopped. Flashing indicators are used by some drivers prior to stopping. Others only use them when stopped.

        They don't exactly have short braking distances so when a tram reaches crawling speed, that should be a hint it's about to stop.

        Sadly, that's sometimes the only real indicator you can use. There are no flashing lights, no noticeable change in brake lights, no passengers waiting to get on - it's just that the tram slows down and is instantly lit up like a Christmas tree. It's a bit like going from a green light to a red light with no amber warning.

  • whooah1979 on 18/06/2017 - 14:42

    committing these crimes? And it is a crime, a crime that could very easily result in the loss of someones life.

    It may be a traffic offence, but is it an offence under the criminal code?

  • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2017 - 17:23

    On the flip side, I live near the Malvern Tram depot. Every day, multiple times a day, the trams pull up outside of the depot, to swap drivers. No problem there. Apart from the (profanity) tram drivers. The stopped trams completely block off Glenferrie Road, causing traffic jams up to 2km long. This shouldn't be a problem, as a driver change should be 10 seconds long at best. But it doesn't. The drivers are never outside waiting for the tram, they are in the depot, and sometimes take between 5-10 minutes to come out. It's ridiculous and incredibly arrogant. I don't understand how hard it is to be a tram driver, you've only got 4 things to worry about. Stop. Go. Open Door. Be on time.

    • whooah1979 on 18/06/2017 - 18:07

      The drivers are never outside waiting for the tram, they are in the depot, and sometimes take between 5-10 minutes to come out. It's ridiculous and incredibly arrogant.

      get a dash cam and record it. post it on youtube and drop an email to ms j allan http://www.vic.gov.au/contactsandservices/directory/?ea0_lfz…

      keep doing it until the department addresses the issue.

      try and get the faces of the drivers responsible for the delay.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/06/2017 - 20:19

        Great idea.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join