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Two drivers chance lights and lives at level crossing – during TV report on subject

Police are investigating two motorists who were caught on camera during a live TV news piece about the dangers of level crossings

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Two motorists are being investigated by police for jumping the lights at a railway crossing – on live TV.

ITV News reporter Tanya Mercer was speaking to camera in front of a level crossing in Westerfield, Suffolk, when the lights started flashing and the barriers began to drop.

One vehicle, a Nissan Navara truck, passed through the barrier while the warning lights were on amber, but a motorist in an Audi A3 Cabriolet drove through after they’d turned red.

The footage was later tweeted by the broadcaster, which said: “A word of advice: While our reporter @tanyamercer is doing a live about the dangers of ignoring warning signs at level crossings, it’s probably not the best idea to jump a red light live on air.”

The crime is unlikely to go unpunished. Superintendent Christopher Horton of the British Transport Police was quick to respond to ITV’s tweet, saying: “Two cars during your interview who blatantly contravene the red crossing lights. Would you be willing to provide us with your footage please so we can deal with the two drivers involved?”

The crossing from where the report was broadcast has recorded the highest number of prosecutions for people skipping red lights. Police logged 49 offences between January and December 2017.

It also comes as Network Rail – which is responsible for level crossings, signals, tunnels and tracks – released the results of a survey into level crossings, finding that one in seven drivers of 1,600 polled said they would jump a level crossing before the barriers had dropped.

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