Too close to disaster: Impact of rail near-misses in the spotlight this Rail Safety Week

Monday, 7 August 2023

Close calls between trains and pedestrians remain etched in the minds of the drivers involved long after the incident.

This Rail Safety Week (7-13 August) drivers from Adelaide’s train network are sharing their stories about how these incidents affect them, in a new campaign launched today.

The campaign hopes to stop train passengers in their tracks with powerful video messages displayed at stations across Adelaide, featuring train drivers detailing their experience and the ongoing psychological, physical and mental impacts of near miss experiences.

The videos, which will be location-specific and accessible via a QR code, include heart-stopping footage from a range of locations across the Adelaide Metro rail network.

In the past 12 months, there were more than 260 near misses involving a pedestrian or cyclist across Adelaide’s metropolitan rail network. That’s about five people every week risking their lives crossing rail tracks in front of oncoming trains.

The campaign is a joint initiative between the South Australian Government and Keolis Downer. It particularly focuses on the emotional, physical and mental toll of being in the driver’s seat in the seconds leading up to potential tragedy and will be promoted across social media, digital advertising and radio.

Drivers involved in near misses have reported severe and lasting trauma, including fear, anxiety and feelings of helplessness.

As part of a broader national Rail Safety Week campaign, regional South Australians are being told to ‘Expect the Unexpected’, a reminder that trains in regional areas can come at any time, day or night, including when road users are least expecting them – and it only takes one moment to change a person’s life forever.

There are approximately 480 pedestrian crossings and 557 public level crossings on South Australian railway lines, demonstrating the everyday prevalence of people interacting with rail corridors and the importance of exercising caution at all times.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists should keep these simple points in mind when near railway tracks:

• Always stay behind the white line when waiting for a train or tram or to cross at a level crossing
• Be sensible, pay attention and be alert around trains and on platforms, checking for oncoming trains in both directions (not just the track nearest you)
• Stay alert and look both ways, ensuring you only cross rail tracks at dedicated pedestrian and vehicle crossings
• Remember to put your mobile phone away, dismount from your bike and always remove headphones when you are near train tracks
• Take extra care around crossings with multiple tracks, high train frequency, or where there are no gates or signals
• It is illegal to enter a level crossing while the lights are flashing or when warning bells sound
• Always ensure there is enough space for your vehicle on the other side of a level crossing before making the decision to cross
• Wait for the lights and bells to stop and the boom gates to go up before crossing the tracks at a level crossing.