Police are urging motorists and commuters to be aware of their safety and responsibilities at level crossings and around train stations during Rail Safety Week 2016, NSW Police say.
Rail Safety Week, which starts today and concludes Sunday (21 August 2016), is an annual community awareness campaign held in Australia and New Zealand designed to engage the community in safe rail practices. The theme of Rail Safety Week this year is "It’s my responsibility".
NSW Police will be conducting an operation throughout the week which will see officers from the Police Transport Command and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command out searching for those trespassing or putting themselves in danger around trains and drivers taking risks at level crossings.
As part of Rail Safety Week, officers from the Police Transport Command will attempt to raise awareness about the 4000 trespasser near hits that occur each year.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Devaney, the Commander of the state’s Police Transport Command, said those trespassing on train tracks or in rail corridors place themselves at great risk of serious injury or even death.
"People who enter train tracks or into rail corridors are committing an offence and are putting their lives at risk.
"This week we are reminding people to not take unnecessary risks as you don't know when a train could approach and you may not hear it coming.
"A minute saved by taking a short cut, is not worth your life and the devastation brought to families and friends," Acting Assistant Commissioner Devaney said.
Last year (2015), police charged more than 80 people and issued over 240 infringements for trespass and rail corridor offences.
Officers from the Police Transport Command also made 4079 arrests for other offences, laid 8055 charges and issued 90817 infringement notices for the year.
One of the areas Rail Safety Week focuses on is level crossings. Traffic and Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said that it was an opportunity to focus attention on the high consequences of disobeying signs, flashing lights and boom gates at level crossings.
Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said drivers need to be aware of their safety and responsibilities at level crossings.
"During Rail Safety Week, we will be on the look-out for road users disobeying level crossing controls (signs, flashing lights and boom gates) as well as drivers who are speeding near level crossings and illegally talking or using a mobile phone, rather than concentrating on the level crossing.
"There are 1,400 level crossings in NSW. Between 2001 and 2015, there were 122 collisions involving trains and road vehicles at level crossings throughout the state.
"There have been several serious crashes between road vehicles and trains at level crossings in rural New South Wales since last year’s Rail Safety Week. One of those crashes resulted in the death of a truck driver at Narromine.
"Road users need to be reminded to take extreme care at level crossings – because a single moment of distraction or recklessness could cost them their life," Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.
A motorist entering a level crossing contrary to lights/bells can receive a $433 fine and lose three demerit points, while a driver who enters a level crossing when the road beyond is blocked can be fined another $433 and three demerit points.
