REELING from the first train crash on Melbourne's railway network in which a passenger has died in more than 30 years, Metro's drivers are angry at motorists who try to out-race the boom gates at level crossings, their union says.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union divisional secretary Marc Marotta said many train drivers were aggrieved at how quickly the discussion about Saturday's fatal smash in Dandenong South had turned to improving level-crossing safety, rather than dealing with motorists who disobey warning signs.

''There is anger about the road users who don't obey the rules,'' Mr Marotta said.

''Certainly there are some [level crossings] around the state we'd like to see made safer but this one had more than adequate safety warnings. The boom gates were down, the lights were flashing, the bells were sounding and yet somehow those warnings were not good enough.''