Video Clip, what is it?
 

http://www.biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=515

I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but it's slightly funny.

Does anyone know why those certain cars can't get through and only the buses, etc can?

Maybe it's like an EZ Pay system toll road.

An attempt at urban traffic control? Only some vehicles have an RFID device that allows it to enter -- others don't. It would seem that a breakaway gate would cause less damage and then not leave the vehicle hanging and blocking traffic. But then you'd be using up lots of gates.

I like the good old days of tire slicing bars preventing you form going in the out.

Looks like the people behind the busses were trying to beat the system and hurry up behind the bus to get through.

Seems a bit harsh?

It looks dangerous as hell. No safety mechanism, like garage doors have, for instance.

It IS traffic control - the area the cars are trying to access is obviously pedestrianised. The van that gets through is Royal Mail (ie the Post Office)

Can't say where exactly but it's definitely Britain. Many city centres have similar devices, but they react more slowly - I think this particular city decided it had had enough of people trying to beat the system.

Serves them right I say - this area will be VERY clearly marked I assure you, you can tell by the way the cars have tried to tailgate that they know they are in the wrong.

The guy in the black SUV looks like he may have sustained a concussion. They also rushed to get their child out of the back seat. The last guy's windshield is broken where his head may have hit.

How about heavy fines instead of bodily injury?

It looks like he hit his airbag to me.

I say - how about not driving through a prohibited area for not scaring the crap outta you?
Rather than the time & money it takes to process fines the Mercedes driver can well afford. He won't be trying that again in a hurry.

(I'm not very sympathetic when it comes to traffic violations I'm afraid)

An airbag will crush your windshield like that?

I'm sure word will get around that you can't play that system and win...at least I hope so before someone's kid gets killed.

That child should have been in a carseat. If she wasn't then the father is doubly to blame - first in endangering his family by irresponsible driving, second by not adhering to the law by securing his child properly.

I would rather not see children injured by their own parents' decisions, but it is better than allowing drivers with no regard for the law into pedestrianised areas where they will put other people's children in danger, surely?

Yes. It also fills the car with dust, which you can see coming out when the door is opened.

I'm guessing the kid was in a carseat.

Well, I'm guessing the child was in a car seat, and probably not injured, hopefully.

I'm not sticking up for the driver's with no regard for the law...I hate that, too. It just seems a bit harsh, like I said. Say the child was not in a car seat, and was injured. Parent's fault, absolutely, but a brain injured or whatever child seems a harsh punishment.

I do see where you're coming from - and I agree it's harsh. It's just I like harsh in this situation. It's one of the few issues where my usual liberal coating has worn thin and the right wing reactionary is showing through.

I also advocate buses being able to shunt cars in the bus lane out of the way...

I have a couple of those myself. :)