A Pembrokeshire man has been convicted of careless driving after he drove onto a level crossing and collided with a train.
Andrew Hardwick, 56, of Ashgrove, Templeton, admitted a charge of driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 27th October 2020.
This is an offence under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is an unlimited fine and the court has the discretion to impose a disqualification.
Magistrates heard that Hardwick was driving his Seat Ibiza over the ungated Llanion level crossing, Pembroke Dock, when the collision happened on Monday, 9th March 2020.
Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said: "This gentleman drove across Llanion level crossing when the train was coming and the train clipped the back of his vehicle.
"He was very lucky he was not a second or two behind, or he could have been t-boned by the train and could have been killed."
Mr Pritchard-Jones explained that the crossing, which is on the approach to Pembroke Dock station, had poor visibility, but it was the driver's responsibility to ensure it was clear before proceeding. Trains use the line infrequently, with Transport for Wales operating a two-hourly commuter service in each direction between Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen.
David Elvy, mitigating, said the junction was considered a dangerous one, and there were plans to re-route the road.
"The view is obstructed until right at the last moment. The train was travelling at about 9 mph when the collision took place.
"It is a crossing that can catch out the unwary. There are no gates or warning lights."
Hardwick, who held a clean driving licence, was fined £93 and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £32 victim surcharge.
His licence was endorsed with 4 penalty points.
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