Motorists take heed around level crossings

Motorists and pedestrians are heeding warnings and increased penalties on the state’s 1300 train level crossings according to the annual findings of Queensland’s Rail Safety Regulator.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the figures showed that the Newman Government’s election promises of better planning and better infrastructure were delivering improvements, including reductions in near misses and boomgate strikes involving drivers and pedestrians.

“In the past year we’ve had a particular focus on level crossing safety with education, technology trials and new flyovers at Bracken Ridge and Geebung,” Mr Emerson said.

“Unlike Labor we’ve taken a tough approach to level crossing safety, doubling the fines for damage to rail infrastructure and increasing our efforts to recover costs from motorists who cause the damage.

“At crossings with boom gates there were 175 strikes, below the four-year average of 212. We are seeing positive results with the number of near misses involving motor vehicles down by 7.1 per cent on the four-year average, and pedestrians down by 37.3 per cent.

The Rail Regulation Unit conducted 121 compliance inspections during the year across the 57 accredited Queensland rail operators.

“We’ll also be making all operators aware of the need to continue to focus their efforts on reducing signals passed at danger with 97 recorded – up from the four-year average of 88.

“I’m pleased the industry is taking a proactive approach to rail safety with an increase in the reporting of minor incidents resulting in a 57 per cent reduction in major incidents.”

Key results from the 2012-13 were:

-          One fatality, down from the four-year average of five

-          93 Category A (major) incidents, down from the four-year average of 136

-          26 running line derailments, down from the four-year average of 38

-          97 train crew error SPADs, above the four year average of 88

-          353 near misses with vehicles, down from the four year average of 379

-          126 near misses with people, down from the four year average of 201

The full report is available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Rail-safety/Safety-reports.aspx

Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637