Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the story
A driver of a black van, Friday, found himself in the path of a Metro Light Rail train in Phoenix. He is the fifth motorist to collide with one of the trains since it began test runs in December.
"It's not a good system, " said the van driver who would not give his name. He said he was taking a right hand turn when the train hit his passenger side rear.
Witnesses tell officers the driver had a red arrow, but the driver says he didn't see a red arrow.
"I don't think drivers are paying attention to the new signal lights," said Sgt. Randall Miller with the Phoenix Police Department.
Metro Light Rail officials say the collisions are part of a learning curve for drivers. "You should be paying attention to your overhead traffic signals, your red, yellow and green lights," said Hillary Foose, with Metro Light Rail.
Foose says drivers should ignore the white vertical and horizontal traffic lights, these are only for train operators. "It lets them know when it's clear to proceed," she said.
The signals showing an outline of a light rail train lets drivers know a train is in the area and they should be cautious.
The left and right turn arrows let you know when you can make a left or right turn. "Those arrows remove the judgment call. Go when it's green, stop when it's not." said Foose.
But drivers say it's still confusing. "I get nervous when there's no train," said Terry Matthews, a motorist.
Foose says pedestrians need to also be careful. Jaywalking or crossing when you don't have a clear "walk" signal could put you in front of an oncoming train.
In a collision in Tempe Monday, police said said a truck's driver was cited for driving into the crossing before the arms were all the way up.
A Metro preliminary report released Friday showed that the crossing arms "began to rise" after the first train, headed east, crossed University. A westbound train was approaching University at the same time.
