Rail Safety Week begins today and Canberrans are asked to remember their personal responsibilities while on or around the light rail corridor.
The national campaign is held across Australia and New Zealand by the TrackSAFE Foundation and this year it is celebrating its 20th anniversary of raising awareness of safe behaviour around trains and light rail vehicles.
For the seventh consecutive year since light rail began operation in the ACT, Transport Canberra is proud shine a spotlight on rail safety and encourage all Canberrans to take a moment to pause, look, and listen around light rail.
"Light rail is a key feature of our city's landscape and is an important part of the everyday lives of many Canberrans," said George Vallance, Executive Branch Manager Light Rail Operations, Transport Canberra.
"Whether you're a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, e-scooter rider or motorist – we all have a role to play in staying rail safe. A single moment of distraction can change everything.
"This week is an important reminder that Canberrans understand their responsibility to ensure their own safety, and the safety of others on and around light rail.
"This means staying behind the yellow line on light rail platforms, stopping to look both ways before you cross the tracks and avoiding any distractions including putting away phones and taking off headphones when moving around platforms – these precautions could save your life."
To mark the beginning of Rail Safety Week, four new light rail safety wraps designed by local students will feature on light rail vehicles.
"Each design provides a unique and creative interpretation of light rail safety messaging. The safety wraps will appear on two of our light rail vehicles for the next year and are a fantastic example of the creative talent in our local schools," George Vallance said.
"We are also inviting Canberrans to vote in the People's Choice Award for their favourite poster designs from 32 shortlisted submissions. Student posters will be displayed internally on two light rail vehicles and at Gungahlin Village shopping centre, with voting available until the end of the month by scanning available QR codes for your favourite design."
