Radars to guard level crossings

CAMERAS are to be installed at 100 of France's most dangerous level-crossings by 2012 to automatically fine drivers who ignore warnings.

The special radars will record the details of any vehicles that cross while warning lights are flashing. Drivers face a €135 fine and could lose four licence points if they are caught.

The first two cameras will enter service later this year at Hondeghem (Nord) and Le Plessis-Belleville (Picardy) - where local officials estimate that three-quarters of the 80 daily level crossing closures are ignored by locals.

The measures were unveiled by Transport Secretary Dominique Bussereau two years ago after a collision between a coach and a train in Haute-Savoie which killed seven young people.

Railway infrastructure group Reseau Ferré de France is also working to install more barriers at rural level crossings instead of just lights - and is removing some crossings altogether.

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Drivers must heed crossing warnings