Over the past six years, there has been an average of 83 fatalities on the Australian rail network.
Every year there is around 27 injuries at level crossings, or because of trespass, and approximately 1,880 level crossing and trespass near hits.
These statistics are concerning and visibly highlight the importance of rail safety education.
Rail Safety Week is an annual event, and this year it celebrates its 17th anniversary and will be held from Monday 8 August – Sunday 14 August. It’s an important community awareness initiative, created to educate and engage the community in safe rail practices.
Constable Care Foundation is proud to partner with Arc Infrastructure and wholeheartedly support the view that rail safety education is as critical as road safety education.
In honour of Rail Safety Week, we asked our friends at Arc Infrastructure to give us their top tips to stay rail safe near the tracks.
- Cyclists and pedestrians should always: Stand back, look up and be rail safe before walking over the tracks at level crossings.
- Be aware that trains don’t have the capacity to swerve or come to an immediate halt. Remarkably, it can take up to 14 football fields before a train completely comes to a stop.
- Never try to beat a train. Your life is at risk if you do. Ensure there is enough time to safely cross the tracks.
- Motorists: always ensure there is enough space for your vehicle on the other side of a level crossing before making the decision to proceed.
Fatalities, incidents and near hits on the rail network and on the road can cause severe and lasting trauma to the people involved, their families and friends and witnesses. If we can help improve rail safety education awareness, we can help save lives.
To find out more about Arc Infrastructures rail safety awareness initiatives, visit: https://www.arcinfra.com/Community/Rail-Safety-Education
