You're right and wrong. Yes, cars trying to beat trains has been a long-standing tradition in the world. We see it every day.
However, I don't think Trainz is trying to "simulate" people commiting suicide. Especially when a whole string of cars does this. I mean this isn't a sim of the Jim Jones mass suicide in Guiana
In TRS2004 cars actually obeyed the crossing gates and warning lights and stopped for trains. Now, in some situations, they don't. Something has changed for the worse. I don't have 2012 yet, but I wonder if it happens there too?
BTW...if a car challenges a train and loses in real life, there is one heck of a mess. If Trainz is gonna simulate that, I want to see that mess! Okay, call me sadistic.