The distance between the compulsory stop line and the rail corridor at the Beach Road level crossing at Paekakariki is 10.5 m. The bus involved in this accident was 12.6 m long. Many other buses and various configurations of trucks are longer than 10.5 m. This means that when one of these long vehicles stops at the stop sign (as it is required to do) the back of the vehicle will foul the rail corridor and be at risk of being struck by a train. Technically then, any such vehicles intending to turn right to State Highway 1 cannot comply with the road rules when using this level crossing. Any long vehicle would be at risk of being struck by a train when waiting at the stop sign for a break in the traffic travelling on State Highway 1. Additionally, there is no signage at the level crossing warning drivers of long vehicles that there is only a 10.5 m stacking distance.
The Commission recommends to the Chief Executive of the NZ Transport Agency that as a matter of urgency he address this safety issue.