Can trams on lines like Wattle Park or West Coburg be justified as opposed to replacement by electric buses? … If they’re going to be used for at least another 5 to 10 years, they should at least be retrofitted with CCTVs. … I’m a teacher, and I take the VLine (Gippsland line) to work. The other day, a fellow passenger told me that a student from my school had been committing a sex-related crime.
Ah, Melbourne! A city known for its coffee, culture, and, let’s be honest, its rather unique driving habits. If you’ve ever been on a tram here, you’ve probably witnessed the spectacle of cars zooming past stopped trams as if they were on a racetrack. It’s like a scene from Fast & Furious, but with less Vin Diesel and more confused pedestrians.
Now, let’s talk about that little issue of safety. You see, trams often stop to pick up passengers, with their doors wide open, flashing lights doing their best impression of a disco ball. And yet, there are those brave—or perhaps reckless—souls who decide that the rules of the road don’t apply to them. They swish right past, leaving everyone else wondering if they’ve accidentally stumbled into a live-action version of Frogger.
According to a recent Reddit post, this alarming trend seems to be happening more frequently. The user, who goes by the name SpiritualDiamond5487 (a name that screams ‘I’m very deep and spiritual, but also concerned about tram safety’), noted that they see this risky behavior two to three times a week. This is where the conversation gets interesting.
Why don’t trams have cameras to catch these offenders? I mean, we’ve got cameras for red lights, speed limits, and even for those cheeky folks who can’t resist the urge to park in front of a fire hydrant. So why not for trams? The fines for passing a stopped tram can reach almost $500, along with three demerit points. That’s a hefty price to pay for a few seconds of impatience!
Now, I’m no traffic safety expert, but installing external cameras on trams seems like a no-brainer. It would be like having a bouncer at a nightclub—keeping the riff-raff out and ensuring everyone plays nice. With enough evidence from the cameras and the tram driver’s witness account, those fines could fly out like hotcakes! And let’s be real—if the fines start rolling in, the cost of the cameras would be covered quicker than you can say “I should’ve waited for the tram to move.”
Imagine a future where we could all ride the tram without the fear of becoming an unwitting participant in a game of vehicular dodgeball. The cameras could catch the offenders red-handed, and they would think twice before trying to race the tram next time.
So, what’s holding us back? Is it a lack of funding? Bureaucratic red tape? Or does someone just really enjoy watching the chaos unfold? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that something needs to change. With safety at stake and a potential revenue stream just waiting to be tapped, maybe it’s time for the authorities to step up and consider this solution.
In the meantime, if you’re a tram passenger, keep your head on a swivel, and maybe invest in a good pair of running shoes. Because in this game of traffic chicken, you never know when you might need to sprint away from a speeding car that thinks it’s above the law.
And to all the drivers out there—please, for the love of all things caffeinated and Melbourne, think twice before trying to beat the tram. It’s not a race, and those fines aren’t going to pay themselves. Let’s make our trams safer and our roads just a little less chaotic, shall we?
Inspired by: “Why don’t trams have cameras for passing offence” (r/melbourne)