Enforcement Camera at Level Crossing

Image: © Ian Dodds Taken: 28 Jun 2021

This state-of-the-art looking bit of equipment, manufactured by a company called Vysionics, is there to deter, and if that doesn't work, detect and prosecute motorists who cross over the railway when the flashing lights instruct them not to. There is a picture on the site from 2013 showing that not that long ago there weren't even any barriers operating at the most Westerly of Dingwall's three level crossings. When a train is approaching an amber light at the bottom of the black board lights up. This is shortly followed by two red lights at the top of the board flashing alternately - this type of warning light is known as a wig-wag light, and is used as it is more obvious than the standard steady red light used on traffic lights. Half barriers are starting to be used as the standard at level crossings. Despite the obvious drawback that vehicles can zig-zag through them, the thinking must be that it is worth it in case the unthinkable happens - somebody stalling or finding themselves stuck in the middle in a traffic jam when the barriers descend.

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