By SYBIL EHRLICH
Israel Railways is posting traffic inspectors at 21 level crossings throughout the country to ensure vehicular safety. Many accidents take place when drivers attempt to pass through the crossings despite descending barriers and flashing lights. The crossings are mostly on the main Haifa-Ashdod line, but also in Bnei Brak, Ramle and Nahal Sorek.
According to IR statistics, 950 level-crossing barriers were broken by car drivers in 2005, almost four for every such barrier in the entire country.
Israel Railways director-general Ofer Linchevski said the traffic inspectors would have to cope with drivers who ignore red lights at railway crossings, which is a phenomenon peculiar to Israel.