PHNO-OPINION: RESPECTING TRAINS

OPINION: RESPECTING
TRAINS

[PHOTO - PNR LEG
ALABANG-MANILA]
MANILA, MAY 8, 2012
(MALAYA) Written by ROMEO Y. LIM - ('But sadly, no
matter how professional or competent the people we place in charge of our
trains, we cannot seem to educate our people on trains.')
FOR the past few months, I have noticed a proliferation of accidents
involving the Philippine National Railways (PNR). Depending on who or what
agency you ask, the fatalities have ranged from eight to ten people who have
died from January of this year to May.
A PNR official, whose name escapes me as of now, was recently interviewed
regarding an incident where an SUV was hit by a train in Quezon resulting in
three dead and nine injured.
Now, having studied Transportation Management in the US quite a long time
ago, I can only shake my head at the accidents that should never have occurred
if the people involved just respected trains.
In that particular course, we were taught that in accidents involving trains
(except when it hits another train), the trains are NEVER AT FAULT. Even a
derailment is usually caused by outside factors not by the train itself.
Why? Because trains have their own tracks. They can go no other way except
where their tracks take them. They cannot intrude on any lane, street,
intersection or road because they can only use the space provided by their own
tracks.
If you hit a train, you are in fact, intruding on their space and should
accord them the respect just like the fact that you stop at red traffic lights
because it is the turn of the other motorists to cross.
Trains are the owners of the tracks and other people who use other vehicles
should refrain from being obstacles.
The driver of the van that hit the train is at fault and the train operator
should never have been placed in police custody. Apart from the fact that the
trains own the tracks, it is physically impossible to slam on the brakes of a
train and expect it to respond like a car.
Unlike motor vehicles, a PNR train needs at least 30 seconds and 100 meters
of clear track before coming to a full stop.
Recently, a driver of a PNR train applied the brakes when he saw a gap in the
railroad tracks along Muntinlupa City. Despite the fact that he was alert enough
to notice the gap while the train was still several meters away, he still failed
to stop the front wheels of the train from going off the tracks.
Fortunately, his quick action averted a serious accident. It was found out
later that some hooligans were stealing the tracks' railing bolts and this
caused the other bolts to loosen and fall off.
If managed well, I believe trains can be a major source of fast, cheap and
easy transportation. But sadly, no matter how professional or competent the
people we place in charge of our trains, we cannot seem to educate our people on
trains.
We have squatters along railroad tracks who have no respect for trains. Some
young ones mock the trains' speed and make dangerous games out of either
catching these trains or riding on top of the roofs. Unscrupulous characters
steal anything from railroad tracks to railing bolts dismissive of the fact that
this can cause derailments and accidents that will take many lives.
I think we should seriously look at how we can improve the railway system in
this country in a more comprehensive manner which will include not only
government but the community as well.


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved




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