CHACHOENGSAO -- Residents of tambon Bang Toey in Muang district are demanding barriers and a warning system be installed at unmarked railway crossings used by at least 40 trains a day, saying there have been too many accidents.
Narong Lohraksa, a local resident, said the accidents began occuring on Bang Toey-Pattana road after the SRT expanded the line to three tracks, creating more crossings at villages along the route.
He said the additional two tracks had also created blind spots where people could not see the approaching trains, which often did not have their headlights turned on
The latest accident was on Wednesday when a train hit a local resident's car on a crossing in Moo 4 of tambon Bang Toey.
He urged the SRT to install flashing lights and warning sirens, or barriers, to warn people when trains were approaching, to prevent more accidents, injuries and deaths. There had already been four serious accidents at the crossing.
Witoon Younghaiphol, headman of Moo 11 village, said the SRT should install an automatic warning system as more than 40 passenger and cargo trains used the line through the villages every day.
The line is a major freight route to Laem Chabang port.
The addition of two more tracks at this crossing a few years ago has resulted in more accidents. Local residents are pleading for barriers, flashing lights and a warning system to be installed.