HUGE TRUCK SMASH

Yesterday there was a collision between a 'B' double and a country train.
It occurred near Kerang in country Victoria; the train was bound for Melbourne when the 60 ton, two-trailer vehicle hit it.

The intersection is in a relatively isolated spot with seemingly flat land surrounding it. The visibility was good.
The driver apparently realised at some point what wa about to happen and slammed on the brakes. (Note: semis, especially b doubles, much like trains don't stop in a hurry - period).
The investigators say it's too early to conclude the cause however, there can only be one cause; trains at level crossings don't give way to traffic - it's the other way round, common knowledge in fact.

So given that there was no problem with the truck's brakes, the simple explanation MUST be that the truck driver just wasn't paying attention. Perhaps he'd been driving for hours; maybe he'd crossed this line many times before and had never met a train and had grown complacent. And he realised too late. That'd be my guess.

Further details released are suggesting that the sun may have been in the eyes of the semi driver. This raises an issue. I have driven with the sun in my eyes before and when it's DIRECTLY in my eyes my foot immediately eases off the accelerator, sometimes even touching the brakes, knowing that for all intents and purposes I'm effectively blind whilst the blazing star is in my face. So if this had been the case with the truck driver then he's still culpable - he should have immediately slowed and taken whatever steps necessary to renew his vision of the road ahead before continuing.
The crossing had flashing lights to warn of an impending train, which reportedly were working fine. There was no barrier.

People have reacted as always when death occurs - with an almost hushed whisper like they are at a wake in someone's house. And they all are wringing their hands in despair as they 'plead for the carnage to stop'.

Look (I'm wringing MY hands now), what is the ultimate aim here - that people never die? That in some way we can negate chance? Is it not the human condition to be fallible? Isn't it oft quoted when justifying human behaviour, 'I'm/he's/ they're only human' (like it's the ultimate excuse for acts of indiscretion).

Given that then, it follows that man will always make mistakes - and sometimes die as a result, in this case taking unsuspecting travellers with him.

Look out for legislation (backed up with camera evidence) enforcing vehicles to slow to almost a stop, almost like the 'Californian stop' employed in the US, before crossing.