The Tasmanian Government is urging drivers to heed the warnings of both TasRail and Tasmanian Police and obey the road rules around level crossings.
Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent, said rail safety was everyone's business, and we need to see less incidents at level crossings.
"TasRail team members work hard to deliver millions of tonnes of freight over the 600km network across the State," Minister Vincent said.
"One of their biggest risk factors is road user behaviour at level crossings.
"A locomotive weighs thousands of tonnes, takes up to 1km to stop under emergency breaking, and cannot swerve to miss something in their path.
"There has been a 35 per cent increase in reports of vehicles failing to stop or give way at Tasmanian rail crossings in 2024-25.
"That's 92 times drivers have been forced to risk their own lives at one of our 179 public level crossings.
"Don't be complacent and put your life or the lives of others at risk in the hope of getting somewhere a few seconds earlier.
"TasRail controls everything they can to keep everyone safe, but Tasmanians need to play a part too.
"Near miss incidents and collisions between road users and trains are completely avoidable."
Drivers on our roads are reminded to always obey signs, lights and signals; stop, look and listen for trains at passive crossings; and never attempt to race a train or cross when the warning signals are active.
"Please, just be patient," the Minister said.
Getting Tasmanians home to their loved ones safe is an important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future.
