Crosses campaign success

The next phase of Queensland Rail’s Crosses campaign will be rolled out today with a new billboard displayed across a train as a reminder to stay safe near level crossings.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the billboard advertising the confronting level crossing safety campaign would travel on the south east Queensland rail network for the next month.

“The campaign focuses on white crosses as a stark reminder of how people gamble with their lives by playing Russian roulette with trains at level crossings,” Mr Emerson said. 

“Before the Crosses campaign was launched in June last year, there was a nine per cent spike in incidents.

“We have seen this turn around significantly with a reduction of more than 32 per cent in near miss incidents in the second half of 2012, when compared to the same period the previous year.

“In 2012 there were 400 reported near misses at railway crossings across the Queensland Rail network, down from 472 the previous year.

“While these statistics are improving, too many Queenslanders are still taking risks when one mistake around a railway crossing could be fatal.”

Last year 243 motorists and 157 pedestrians were nearly hit by trains, while there were 10 collisions between vehicles and trains.

Queensland Rail Acting CEO Jim Benstead said in the lead up to Easter, billboards would also be placed at hotspots around the state, including Cairns, Mackay and Bundaberg, and at Brisbane railway crossings including Murarrie, Geebung, Deagon, Mitchelton and Wynnum North.

“Any near miss is one too many, which is why we will continue our efforts through the Crosses campaign to reduce the number of railway crossing incidents this year,” Mr Benstead said.

“Motorists are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and avoid tragedy at a railway crossing by simply obeying the signs and signals.”

For further information www.queenslandrail.com.au or www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail 

[ENDS] 20 March 2013

Media Contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625

Please see statistics below.

Railway crossing incidents - 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2012