Motorists reminded not to take risks at railway crossings

The AA is taking the opportunity of National Rail Safety Week (23-29 August) to remind motorists to always be careful at railway level crossings.

In the five years from 2005 to the end of 2009, there were 125 collisions at level crossings between motor vehicles and trains, resulting in 16 deaths. This is on average one collision every 2-3 weeks.

Crash investigators attribute most collisions to driver error - drivers not looking carefully enough or misjudging the time or space they have to cross the lines, says AA General Manager Motoring Affairs Mike Noon.

“Most level crossing accidents are preventable. You should always assume there might be a train coming and only cross the tracks when you know for sure that it’s safe to,” he says.

Collisions happen at both alarmed railway crossings and non-alarmed ones.

Only about half of New Zealand’s1,400 level crossings have some kind of electronic warning system (flashing lights, bells and/or barrier arms) to alert motorists that a train is coming. The rest just have signs including Give Way or Stop signs.

Drivers need to be especially vigilant at railway crossings that don’t have alarms, but also can’t afford any complacency at alarmed crossings because a significant number of accidents happen when alarms are working, but for some reason the motorist has continued driving across the lines, says Mr Noon.

“If you travel across the same level crossing regularly, force yourself into good habits of properly checking for trains. One day you’ll encounter one and you will need to have allowed enough time to stop for it.”

Mr Noon also calls for more caution at the many road intersections that include railway crossings.

“Because a lot of our roads have been built next to railway lines, there are very often railway crossings close to major road intersections.

“Sometimes drivers on side roads choose to cross the railway line when there’s not enough space to get their vehicle completely across the tracks. Whether they’ve misjudged the space or whether it’s impatience – it’s simply not worth the risk. Often there’s not much room to move if a train appears. Be patient and wait until there’s plenty of room on the other side before you cross the tracks,” he says.

In the lead up to National Rail Safety Week, the Chris Cairns Foundation, which works to raise public awareness about responsibilities at level crossings, has been asking train drivers to report all near collisions. Although train drivers already have a process for reporting near collisions to Police, the Foundation is interested in all incidents to establish a more complete picture of road user behaviour to highlight all the issues.

Police prosecute people for dangerous behaviour at level crossings when they can and fines range from $150 to $20,000 depending on the offence.

Level Crossing Safety Tips for Motorists:

1. Trains can arrive from either direction at any time. Check both ways, a second train may be coming.
2. It’s not easy to judge the speed of trains. Because they’re large they can look like they’re travelling slower than they are.
3. Trains can take up to a kilometre to stop. Always give way.
4. Flashing red lights at level crossings mean stop!
5. Never drive around lowered barrier arms – a train is coming.
6. You must not overtake another vehicle that is stopping or has stopped at a level crossing.
7. Only enter a railway level crossing with enough space for your vehicle to stop clear of the tracks.
8. You may not always hear a train approaching. Be alert. Stop, look and live!

ENDS

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