Near hit incidents at railway crossings are an ongoing issue, putting lives at risk and disrupting rail services while impacting drivers, workers and the wider community.
5 - 11 August is Rail Safety Week.
The Department for Transport and Infrastructure, along with Adelaide Metro rail operators Keolis Downer and Torrens Connect, and South Australia Police are running a campaign during Rail Safety Week to raise awareness of safer behaviour around train and tram lines in a bid to reduce serious injuries and fatalities caused by accidents on the tracks.
The campaign highlights confronting near hit incidents, showing a moment of near impact, and reminding everyone that ‘Real life doesn’t rewind.’
So far this year, there have been 76 near hits reported on Adelaide Metro’s train network, up 54% from the same time last year.
The Seaford rail line has reported an increase of nearly 60%.
The tram network has recorded 77 near hits this year.
Every one of these was avoidable.
Each near hit incident is extremely dangerous and easy to prevent with improved behaviour and attitudes around rail lines.
The Department is encouraging you to have the conversation with friends, family and across your community about how to improve behaviour around rail lines.
Trains and trams can’t swerve or stop quickly and are often approaching much faster than they seem to be, so don’t assume you can dash across the tracks and beat them.
The highest perpetrators of dangerous behaviours are young males around 15 to 25, and we need to help stop them from getting in harm’s way in any way we can.
Some simple tips for staying safe around rail include:
- Put your phone down and look up.
- Pause your tunes.
- Take off your headphones.
- Look and listen for the train.
- Stand back behind the line.
- Don’t rush to beat the gate.
- Obey level crossing signs and signals.
A moment of distraction could change your life forever.
Stay rail safe, Adelaide.