- Queensland Rail is reminding North Queenslanders about the importance of road safety at level crossings, urging motorists to slow down, follow the warnings and never attempt to cross ahead of a train.
- Newly released footage of two recent level crossing collisions in Cairns shows drivers travelling through active crossings despite flashing lights and clear signage, as the Far North records the highest number of close calls.
- A high visibility safety operation with Queensland Police Service (QPS) is underway in Cairns this week to reinforce level crossing rules, penalties and safe behaviour around the rail network.
Queensland Rail is reminding North Queenslanders about the importance of road safety at level crossings, releasing new footage of two Cairns crashes, just days apart, where motorists travelled through active crossings and struck the Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) train.
A high visibility safety operation with QPS is now underway to reinforce level crossing rules, penalties and the need for drivers to slow down, obey warnings and never attempt to cross ahead of a train.
The footage shows cars travelling through active level crossings - despite flashing lights and signage - before colliding with the KSR, which was carrying tourists during the school holidays.
In one incident at Grove Street, Cairns on 30 December last year, members of the public rushed to the motor vehicle driver's aid, pulling them from the wreckage moments after the car collided with the heritage carriages.
Nine days later, on 8 January 2026, another driver travelled through the activated crossing at Upward Street, directly in front of the oncoming locomotive, with the impact spinning the car across the road.
Both drivers avoided serious injury, and no rail customers or crew were hurt.
Investigations confirmed the flashing lights and signage at both locations was operating correctly at the time.
Queensland Rail is urging all motorists to slow down at level crossings, obey the signals and signage, look both ways, and never attempt to beat a train.
The incidents come amid regional Queensland recording 110 level crossing close calls with vehicles and pedestrians in 2025 including 34 in Far North Queensland. While overall incidents have been declining over the past three years, the numbers remain high.
Queensland Rail Executive General Manager Regional Assets Wayne Prosser said a joint high visibility operation with the Queensland Police Service was underway at level crossings in Cairns this week (15-18 March 2026).
"This vision highlights the risks when drivers fail to follow the warnings at level crossings - the lights were flashing, and the warnings were clear and these drivers are fortunate the outcomes were not more serious," Mr Prosser said.
"Every driver needs to obey the signs and signals at level crossings, look for oncoming trains, and stop when the lights flash. Trains can't stop quickly, and that's why our operation with Queensland Police this week is focusing on drivers who knowingly take risks around the rail line.
"Our safety message applies to everyone on the road, and especially to those choosing to ignore the warnings. We're visiting schools in the region and working with police to reinforce the importance of slowing down and following the rules to keep the community and our train crews safe."
Queensland Police Service Railway Squad Acting Inspector Simon Arnold said penalties apply for drivers who ignore level crossing protections.
"That includes on the spot fines of $500, and if infrastructure is damaged, drivers may face an infringement of $1,335," Inspector Arnold said.
"We're out here with Queensland Rail as part of this joint operation to reinforce the importance of taking level crossings seriously. We want everyone to get home safely."
