Train-crashed car placed at level crossing to warn of dangers

Eleven people have died in accidents at level crossings in Bulgaria over the past 3 years, the National Railway Infrastructure Company announced on 13^th of June. Because of this alarming statistics, the company offers a number of measures, including placing a car hit by train at a level crossing. The installation is located at one of the busiest crossings on the bypass road of Vratsa, North-West Bulgaria, on the international road E-79.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 13 accidents at level crossings, in which six people were injured and two died. However, the crossing near Vratsa is a leader in a different statistics – here, cars most often hit and break the barriers, 73 times in 273 such incidents for the whole country. One reason is that speed restrictions requirements are not being met and TIRs are even overtaken at the railroad crossing.

The train-crashed car, placed near the crossing, is an example that in the event of train-car crash, the chances of surviving are very little. However, drivers are skeptical about the educational effect of the terrifying sight of bent sheet metal.

Kalin, a driver: Young people are not afraid of anything, they do not need such annoying things, it is ugly.

Stefan Bakardzhiev, a driver: Everyone is obliged to slow down and follow the rules, this crashed car will never scare anyone.

Drivers believe that video cameras should also be installed at potentially dangerous level crossings.