Monday, 10 August 2020
As part of national Rail Safety Week (10 – 16 August), South Australians are being urged to commit to being RailSAFE, with data showing risky behaviour led to 132 near-misses around rail tracks over the past 12 months.
Rail Safety Week is an annual initiative run by the TrackSAFE Foundation, and is supported by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) as part of its ongoing efforts to encourage safe behaviours around trains, trams and rail lines.
The focus for Rail Safety Week this year is for everyone to commit to four easy steps to be RailSAFE: Stay off the tracks, Avoid distractions, Follow instructions and Encourage others to be SAFE.
This message is critically important, with Adelaide Metro data showing there were 132 near-miss incidents reported by rail operators in the 12 months up to 1 August, 2020.
Of these incidents, 89 (just over two thirds) occurred at a railway crossing; including 72 (or 55 per cent) involving a person at a pedestrian crossing and 12 involving a person at a level crossing. Five incidents involved a vehicle at a level crossing.
There are approximately 700 level crossings on public roads and over 450 pedestrian crossings across South Australia’s rail network.
The recent near-miss data is consistent with the long-term average for the previous five years (2014-2018) of 124 incidents per year.
A near-miss is classified as an event in which the driver has been required to take some form of action such as emergency braking, or a person is in a position of danger and doesn’t seem to be aware a train or tram is approaching until the last minute and has to take evasive action. The number of incidents reported only reflects those which are considered of high concern.
DIT urges South Australians to exercise caution when using the rail network, and reminds members of the public that the onus is on them to take responsibility for their own actions.
Incidents on the rail network can cause service disruptions, motorist delays, property damage, trauma, and in the most serious cases, injury and death.
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists should keep these simple points in mind when nearby railway tracks:
- If a train or tram is coming, wait for it to pass, and then stop, look, listen and think again before crossing – a second train or tram may be coming.
- Always use a pedestrian crossing to cross the tracks or to access a station platform – it is illegal to walk or run along the tracks and cross the tracks between platforms.
- If you’re a pedestrian, be sensible, pay attention and be alert when using pedestrian crossings – trains and trams travel quickly (up to 100km/h) and quietly.
- Look up from your mobile phone and take off your headphones before crossing – the smallest distraction can have a lifelong impact.
- When waiting on a platform, stay away from the edge, and stay behind the white line
- Bikes, rollerblades, skates or skateboards must be walked or carried on station platforms, on the ramps leading up to platforms, through pedestrian mazes, while crossing rail lines, in overpasses or underpasses.
- If you’re driving, always make sure there is sufficient space for your vehicle to cross safely to the other side without stopping - it is an offence to enter a level crossing if the road beyond the crossing is blocked or to stop on the yellow box marking.
- If the boom gates seem to be stuck down or the warning signals flash for longer than normal do not cross, it is an offence to enter a level crossing while the lights are flashing or warning bells operating.
- Any faults at a level crossing can be reported to 1800 018 313 (remember to comply with mobile phone laws) and if driving you have the choice of waiting, taking an alternative road if able to do so or safely U-turn where legal and possible.
- Road users need to share the road with trams. Always give way and be careful not to perform U-turns in front of trams.
DIT encourages South Australians to take the Rail Safety Quiz during Rail Safety Week, by visiting: //mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/rail-safety-quiz
It’s easy to fall into a routine when you commute every day, but if you're routinely distracted around rail crossings and tram tracks, the results can be fatal.
Rail crossings need your full attention, so please stop using your phone, lower your volume and always check your surroundings.
Here are some useful tips to keep you safe around public transport.
Trains
Pedestrians - Safe use of pedestrian crossings
It's everyone's responsibility to use level crossings safely:
- Cross railway lines at marked crossings only.
- Stop one step back from the edge of the crossing then look and listen in all directions for approaching trains.
- Think about when it's safe to cross. This is when tracks are clear and there are no trains approaching.
- If a train is coming, wait for it to pass, then stop, look, listen and think again before crossing. Another train may be coming.
- Always obey all warning signs.
- Never jump fences, gates or barriers at crossings.
- Never force pedestrian barriers open or use the emergency escape to enter pedestrian crossings, except in case of an emergency.
- Children should always be supervised around public transport. Hold the hand of children up to five years old when crossing rail lines.
- If you're using a wheelchair or mobility aid, or pushing a pram or stroller, and the barriers start to close while you are on the crossing, always go to the emergency escape gate ahead of you. Don't go back to where you entered the crossing.
Drivers - Always keep tracks clear and stop when lights flash
Impatience can be fatal. It takes a train more than 200 metres to stop. So remember:
- Always keep tracks clear, even if you can't see a train, and never enter a level crossing unless there is room on the other side.
- When you see the red lights flash at a level crossing, make sure you stop. Wait for the lights to stop flashing before driving across railway tracks.
- Never drive under boom gates that are coming down or going up. This means a train is nearby or a second train may be approaching.
- Never drive around boom gates when they're down — it's very likely that an oncoming train is close to the crossing.
For information on how to safely drive near train tracks and level crossings, see VicRoads' train and level crossings road rules.
Stop on Red Signal animation
Keep Tracks Clear animation
Slow down and be prepared to stop
It's important to take extra care when approaching a railway crossing. Get into the habit of stopping, looking and listening for any sign of a train:
- Not every railway crossing has warning bells and lights. For your own safety, always expect a train to be coming, keep your eyes open and your wits about you
- Never rely on just a timetable to know if a train is due
- Never race a train to a railway crossing
- Trains can be travelling in either direction along the same track and on multiple tracks. Be alert for more than one train passing through the crossing at the same time
- Don't be fooled by an optical illusion. Trains in the distance are often closer and travelling faster than they appear.
Using farm crossings
Take care when using farm crossings:
- when entering a property, stop well clear of the tracks, open the gate then drive across after looking and listening for approaching trains
- when leaving a property, never park a vehicle on the tracks while closing a gate. In the time it takes to open and close a gate, a train can be upon you.
Heavy vehicle drivers
Trains always have the right of way. Use your experience to protect yourself at railway crossings. This is particularly important at unprotected crossings in regional areas:
- Think about stopping distances. Some crossings have lights and boom gates. Others have a stop or give-way signs. But all crossings require you to stop. Prepare early, make sure you give your truck enough time to pull up.
- Look out for short-stacking — this is when your truck hangs over the crossing because there isn't enough space ahead. Make sure your path is clear before you start to cross. You don't want to realise you're stuck halfway.
- Check for problems with visibility/ Some conditions make it harder to check for trains at crossings. Don't gamble at S-bend roads, in glare or when roadside objects obscure your view. Slow down and make sure you are safe to cross.
For information on how to safely drive near train tracks and level crossings, see VicRoads' train and level crossings road rules.
Trams
Pedestrians - Safe use of pedestrian crossings
Trams can take much longer and farther to stop than you may think. It’s important to be extra careful when crossing tram tracks whether you are a pedestrian, motorist, or cyclist. So here are some tips:
- When crossing tracks, watch and listen for trams in both directions
- When crossing roads to get on and off trams, watch and listen for traffic
- Pedestrians should cross tram tracks at designated pedestrian crossings only
- When one tram has passed, be aware that another tram may be passing behind it in the opposite direction.
Drivers - Remember to check for trams
We have the world’s largest operational tram network with 250km of double track that provides over 5000 individual trips every day. Melbourne's tram network is unique, with 75% of it shared with other vehicles and road users.
This makes for a more complex road environment, especially if you are unfamiliar with sharing the road with trams.
For information on how to safely share the road and check for trams, see Driving safely with trams.
Safety initiatives
The Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Strategy 2018 to 2027 aims to save lives and reduce incidents at level crossings.
We are a proud supporter of the TrackSAFE Foundation, established by the Australian rail industry to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on the rail network.
TrackSAFE coordinates Rail Safety Week in August each year to engage the community in safe rail practices, and an annual Rail R U OK? Day.