A police blitz to address level crossing misuse in Plainfield netted 16 motorists at the level crossing on West Lockport Street (Route 126) to the east of US Highway 30 / Route 59. Of those issued citations, 12 were to motorists who stopped on the level crossing. In addition, three motorists received written warnings for stopping on the level crossing. A further four motorists received citations relating to driving without insurance, driving on an expired driving licence and unlawfully using a driving licence.

(August 31st, 2011)

Police across New South Wales are involved in a rolling crackdown on motorists who routinely misuse level crossings by entering a level crossing before their exit from it is assured. In addition to enforcement action, variable electronic message boards have been deployed at selected level crossings.

Over an 18-month period to July 2011, New South Wales Police officers issued 465 citations state-wide for level crossing offences.

The campaign is a joint initiative of the New South Wales Police, Transport New South Wales and the state’s Roads and Traffic Authority.

(August 29th, 2011)

National Rail Safety Week 2011

Indiana’s rail safety week running through to September 3rd, 2011 is strongly supported by Indiana Operation Lifesaver and both state and local police. The focus of rail safety week is level crossings and the week is characterised by safety blitzes at crossings state-wide.

For Indiana, the objective is to reduce the harm arising at level crossings which in 2010 saw nine fatalities and 112 accidents across the state’s approximately 6,000 public level crossings.

In addition to enforcement activity, Operation Lifesaver is seeking to raise awareness of the requirements for the safe use of level crossings.

(August 29th, 2011)

Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol officers were out in force throughout National Rail Safety Week (August 22nd -18th, 2011) to ensure that motorists did not misuse level crossings. In particular the Highway Patrol officers were on the lookout for motorists who entered a level crossing without a safe exit beyond the crossing and / or who failed to obey level crossing traffic signals.

The Highway Patrol officers issued penalty notices to motorists and pedestrians who crossed tracks when the gates were closed or warning signals were operating and to drivers who failed to stop or give way as required at level crossings in Victoria. Offenders were issued penalty notices imposing an AUD 611 fine and four demerit points.

National Rail Safety Week 2011

The greatest concentration of the Highway Patrol was at the level crossing on Springvale and Heatherton roads as these level crossings had the highest incidence of accidents.

(August 29th, 2011)

A level crossing collision display in a Hamilton shopping centre, was arranged by KiwiRail to coincide with National Rail Safety Week (NRSW). The theme as at other events to mark NRSW was “Stay Clear. Stay Safe”.

The focus of NRSW is the 290 collisions with cars and pedestrians that have occurred across New Zealand over the past decade.

New Zealand’s NRSW is run by KiwiRail in conjunction with the Chris Cairns Foundation and was officially launched on August 22nd, 2011 with the unveiling of a wrapped train carriage in Auckland and Wellington carrying a graphic rail safety image and the same message “Stay Clear. Stay Safe.”

“National Rail Safety Week is an opportunity for all of us involved in road and rail to encourage drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to be aware of the dangers around rail tracks and level crossings,” says KiwiRail Chief executive Jim Quinn.

KiwiRail upgrades around 10 level crossings a year, but driver behaviour at level crossings shows that more lights, bells and barrier arms are not the only answer.

“Reports from our train drivers show that there have been over 150 near collisions in the past 12 months, with around 78% of those events occurring at crossings protected by automatic alarms,” says Mr Quinn.

“Stay Clear. Stay Safe” train wrap, source KiwiRail

“The onus is always on motorists and pedestrians to give way to trains, and they always need to obey the warning signs at level crossings.”

There are 54 level crossings in Hamilton and the Waikato region at which there have been 15 level crossing collisions in the decade to 2011.

This year’s nationwide campaign included a nationwide rail safety road-show, a Napier school visit by Chris Cairns, Police ‘blitzes’ at level crossings, radio advertising and other promotional activities around the regions. A new website, www.railsafety.co.nz, has also been launched to raise awareness and educate the public about rail safety.

“We want to spread the rail safety message to ‘Stay Clear. Stay Safe’ far and wide,” says Mr Quinn.

(August 27th, 2011)

Officers drawn from the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) Louisiana State Police, St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and Eunice Police Department have completed a joint Officer on the Train initiative to address level crossing safety issues in Eunice with train-borne officers alerting officers monitoring crossings.

Officers were also deployed at level crossings to ensure motorists obeyed signals to stop and that drivers of school buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials came to a complete stop before proceeding to cross the railway when it was safe

The joint initiative saw officers issue 12 citations, including 11 for disobeying level crossing traffic signals and one to a bus driver for failing to completely stop at a crossing as required.

In 2010, 13 people were killed in level crossing accidents in Louisiana.

(August 26th, 2011)

South Australia’s State Government launched a new campaign to coincide with National Rail Safety Week. The campaign, aimed at pedestrians has at its centre a new public service information film. The film can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHngnX_Y5Tw

Road Safety Minister, Tom Kenyon joined South Australia Police Superintendent, Linda Fellows to launch the “1000 Horse Power” campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers associated with pedestrians trespassing on rail lines and misusing level crossings.

“National Rail Safety Week provides the perfect platform for the community to understand how important it is to pay attention and make the right decisions when crossing rail lines,” Mr Kenyon said.

“While we haven’t had any level crossing fatalities over the last 12 months, tragically we have seen the death of a female pedestrian within the last week.”

“There’ve been more than 900 near misses at level crossings and rail lines in the metropolitan area over the past four years, including more than 80 so far this year.

“These near misses are usually due to a combination of inattention, impatience, poor decision making and, at times, reckless behaviour by some people who are willing to put their lives at risk,” Mr Kenyon said.

“The1000 Horse Power tram and television advertising campaign being launched today sends a strong message to those who take a gamble and trespass on our rail lines.

National Rail Safety Week 2011

“Trying to stop a moving train or tram is like trying to stop 1000 horses, so it simply defies belief when you hear of people dicing with danger while attempting to beat them.

“The State Government has committed up to AUD 11 million over three years (2009-12) in engineering, education and enforcement around level crossings across the State,” Mr Kenyon said.

Supt Fellows said that while enforcement was a key focus around rail safety, it was largely up to the community to make safe decisions at level crossings and obey the road rules.

“Human factors such as inattention, driver distraction, risk taking and disobeying warning signs have been identified as common contributors to vehicle-train level crossing crashes, and the same applies to pedestrians who access level crossings, or for those who take a risk and trespass on the rail network,” Supt Fellows said.

(August 22nd, 2011)

KiwiRail in conjunction with the Chris Cairns Foundation launched a new nationwide awareness campaign for National Rail Safety Week - and it is the trains in the big cities that will be carrying the core message "Stay Clear. Stay Safe."

In Auckland and Wellington two train carriages were unveiled with graphic rail safety images of a car having crashed through a lowered barrier into the side of the train.

KiwiRail wraps trains for National Rail Safety Week

Rail safety campaigner and former international test cricketer Chris Cairns says the graphic is shocking and is the worst case scenario for a rail collision, but he hopes it is one that people will take notice of and think about.

“Collisions at railway level crossings have the potential to be catastrophic. We hope that when people see this image they will remember the simple steps they can follow to keep themselves safe around the railway.”

He says the onus is always on motorists and pedestrians to give way to trains, and that they always need to obey the warning signs at level crossings. “Trains can’t stop in a hurry, and they certainly can’t swerve to avoid a car or person on the tracks.”

KiwiRail Chief executive Jim Quinn says there have been 16 vehicle collisions at public level crossings in the past twelve months with one fatality.

“We want these avoidable incidents to stop,” he says. “Not only do they cause immense harm to the people involved, but they also have a terrible impact on our locomotive engineers who drive the trains. These guys don’t want to turn up to work and have to witness some of the horrific things they encounter.”

Mr Quinn says he is also concerned about the number of reports of motorists who queue across level crossings, and that this year’s campaign is also focusing on changing this behaviour.

“People should always leave room for their vehicle on the other side of the crossing before they drive across – otherwise they run the very real risk of the barrier coming down on their car, or in a worst case scenario being hit by an oncoming train.”

Reports from train drivers show that there have been almost 150 near collisions in the past 12 months, with around 78% of those events occurring at active crossings.

Suzanne Butters attended the launch of National Rail Safety Week in Wellington, along with her 11-year-old son Joseph. In 2004 Joseph was traveling in a vehicle that was hit by a train at an active open crossing. He suffered a severe brain injury and was in a rehabilitation centre for three months following the collision.

Suzanne is sharing their family’s story to raise awareness about the risks around the railways and to show people the impact that collisions can have. “People just need to take their time at level crossings, and always pay attention, because the consequences are just not worth it,” she says.

This year’s nationwide campaign will also involve a nationwide rail safety road show being conducted by KiwiRail, radio advertising and other promotional activities around the regions.

A new website, www.railsafety.co.nz, has also been launched to raise awareness and educate the public about rail safety. It also includes links to resources for primary schools on the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) website.

The campaign is supported by Greater Wellington Regional Council, KiwiRail, NZ Police, Veolia Transport, Auckland Transport, Tranz Metro, NZTA and the NZ Automobile Association.

The Chris Cairns Foundation is a charitable trust that aims to raise public awareness of the responsibility each and every one has when approaching level crossings on New Zealand's rail network. Through awareness and education its aim is to reduce loss of life, harm and suffering for the victims of rail accidents.

(August 22nd, 2011)

National Rail Safety Week 2011, launched around Australasia on August 22nd, 2011, to educate Australian and New Zealand communities about safety around railways.

Running until August 28th, 2011, with the theme “Safer Railways for Safer Communities”, more than 20 Australian and New Zealand organisations are collaborating with Australian and New Zealand Police to educate motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in rail safety.

Mr Bryan Nye, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) said the initiative grows each year as rail organisations and the Police see the benefit of getting rail safety messages into Australian and New Zealand communities.

“National Rail Safety Week is a vital rail safety initiative. More and more organisations approach the ARA each year as they see the value in educating their local communities in rail safety,” he said.

This year National Rail Safety Week focuses on level crossing safety and trespass.

“Rail is the safest form of land transport yet risks are present when road users behave dangerously at railway level crossings or take shortcuts along train tracks,” said Mr Nye.

“The Rail Industry works relentlessly towards its goal of zero deaths and National Rail Safety Week is a key initiative in promoting safe behaviour around railways and tram lines.

The theme this year aims to remind motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists to take extra care around railways and always practice safe behaviour.

New Zealand’s Associate Transport Minister, Nathan Guy, has urged that the community heeds the message of Rail Safety Week (August 22nd to 28th, 2011) and take care at level crossings and around the railway more generally.

By way of background to Rail Safety Week since 2000, 42 road vehicle occupants and 18 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed in level crossing collisions.

"Most of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented. Rail Safety Week challenges us to not add to these numbers," says Mr Guy. He added “They aren't there to hold us up or to create a nuisance. They are there for one reason only: to keep us safe."

National Rail Safety Week 2011

"As rail use increases, we have to be mindful of safety. The Government is investing NZD 1.0 million a year into upgrading level crossings with warning lights, bells, and half barriers. This is made up of NZD 0.5 million through KiwiRail which is matched with funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency.

(August 21st, 2011)

Police in Shreveport working with the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) netted 13 motorists and a pedestrian for level crossing related offences. The officer on a train initiative was the latest in a series seeking to address level crossing safety across Louisiana which with 106 collisions in 2010 ranked fifth nationwide.

For three hours, UP ran a locomotive back and forth between Claiborne Avenue and Valley View Drive on August 16th, 2011, to maximise the opportunities to see how motorists and pedestrians behaved when the level crossing controls activated.

(August 17th, 2011)

While the municipality of Sussex is supportive of the need for everyone to play a part in improving safety at level crossings and along the Canadian National (CN) right-of-way through town, Mayor Ralph Carr has said that the approach of CN Police is heavy-handed. Rather than ticketing pedestrians, the Mayor has said that CN Police should have moved to educate citizens before implementing a zero tolerance approach.

The proverbial short cut or last minute dash across the railway has seen in the region of 100 pedestrians ticketed for trespassing at a cost of CAD 124.50 q ticket. The CN Police drive has certainly had the effect of raising awareness of

(August 17th, 2011)

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and local police officers in Conway, Faulkner County, issued 16 citations to motorists nabbed in a one-day exercise to counter level crossing misuse. The initiative was timely as a youth was critically injured in a level crossing collision in Jonesboro, 110 miles away, the day before the initiative on August 16th, 2011. Motorists who received citations for level crossing misuse face penalties of up to USD 300.
(August 17th, 2011)

The latest in a series of British Transport Police (BTP) initiatives to raise awareness of level crossing safety issues has taken place at the Liverpool Road level crossing in Birkdale, Southport. The crossing safety blitz on August 15th, 2011, was an overt operation to highlight the dangers of misusing level crossings and thus an education rather than enforcement operation.

(August 15th, 2011)

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) has taken level crossing safety messages to Kearney in association with Nebraska Operation Lifesaver. The approach adopted by UP was to use a special train to show people at first-hand what the world looks like from the driving cab of a locomotive. The 300 citizens also heard from UP and Operation Lifesaver how to stay safe at level crossings and along the railway’s right-of-way. This initiative took place on August 13th, 2011. Kearney was one such stop on a five-day initiative in Nebraska.
(August 13th, 2011)

On August 12th, 2011, Metra honoured the winners of its annual safety post contest at its Board of Director's meeting. At the meeting, the Kindergarten to grade 12 Safety Contest winners' entries were officially unveiled and the students were recognized for their contribution to railway safety in front of parents, educators and the Metra Board of Directors.

The winning entries from the fifth annual contest will be used substantially to help Metra promote a culture of safety. They will be featured as safety posters and distributed to schools. They will also be featured in Metra's safety calendar and on monthly tickets.

The winning posters can be seen at http://www.metracontest.com/

(August 12th, 2011)

Metra poster contest, 2011, source Metra	Metra Board honours contest winners, source Metra

National newspaper USA Today has highlighted Operation Lifesaver’s (OLI) newest education tool for professional drivers, the ProDriver Challenge, in a story on recent deadly collisions between big trucks and trains. The article, which calls the ProDriver Challenge an “online safety video game,” features quotes from truck drivers who have found this tool useful in preparing them for encountering crossings on the road.

The article also quotes Marmie Edwards, OLI’s Vice President of Communications, who explains that, in the ProDriver Challenge’s simulated driving environment, “drivers are exposed to worst-case scenarios that require quick thinking and critical decision-making.”

Operation Lifesaver hopes to reach 100,000 drivers in the programme’s first year, with the goal of reducing deadly truck-train crashes.

(August 12th, 2011)

A joint British Transport Police (BTP) and Surrey Police operation in Egham on July 30th, 2011, led to 81 motorists being stopped. This number included nine motorists stopped at the Thorpe Road and Pooley Green level crossings for running the red lights who must now attend a Driver Aware course.



(August 8th, 2011)

In addition the blitz saw 12 drivers issued with fixed penalty notices because they were not wearing seatbelts. A further eight motorists received a fixed penalty notice for using their mobile telephones while driving. The same sanction was applied to a driver who failed to produce a valid MOT certificate. The operation also led to the police seizing three cars.

Translink, operator of railways in Northern Ireland is appealing to motorists and pedestrians to think safe and stay safe at level crossings and elsewhere on and around the railway with the launch of its summer safety DEADLINE campaign.

The campaign coinciding with the peak holiday season is run jointly with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) aims to raise awareness of safe behaviours and prevent potentially hazardous incidents occurring at level crossings and elsewhere on the railway.

Over the past three years an average of 10 incidents of motorist and pedestrian misuse at public crossings has been recorded every month. A total of 121 people were prosecuted in the past year due to safety related incidents and were fined a total of GBP 13,000. 

The stark warning from Translink to motorists is don’t be tempted to jump the lights or beat the barriers at crossings, especially as our Class 4000 trains are being tested across the network in the coming months and travelling at speeds of up to 90mph.  Translink has CCTV in operation a level crossings and in addition, there are a number of railway employees based at crossings who record all instances of trespassing and misuse.  Translink says the risk of getting caught and potentially getting a criminal record is just too great.

PSNI’s Head of Road Policing, Superintendent Muir Clark said: “Attempting to drive across level crossings as the barriers are being lowered is an incredibly dangerous practice which could kill or seriously injure vehicle occupants or train passengers.
 
“Most crossings have full or half barriers and traffic light signals. Drivers must stop behind the white line across the road when the lights come on. If you have already crossed the white line when the amber lights or audible alarm start, continue on through the crossing.

“Never zigzag around the barriers. They are being lowered because a train is approaching. Never drive on to a crossing until the road ahead on the other side of the crossing is clear. Do not drive nose to tail over it and never stop on or just after a level crossing.”

“If the barriers stay down and the red lights continue to flash after a train has passed you must wait as another train will soon be approaching. Please remember that it is only safe to cross when the lights go off and any barriers open. Police will not hesitate to take appropriate action against any driver found misusing level crossings,

(August 3rd, 2011)

The British Transport Police (BTP) has introduced a vehicle equipped with nine cameras to monitor road user behaviour at crossings in the East of England. The camera van, funded by Network Rail – the national rail infrastructure manager, build on the success of a similar vehicle which has been in use in the South of England since the beginning of the year.

The latest vehicle will be deployed at level crossings in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and parts of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. BTP will be using number plate recognition technology will be used to identify motorists using the crossings dangerously or illegally.

(August 2nd, 2011)