Level crossing collision highlights the need for ongoing vigilance.

Last night's level crossing collision between a freight train and a car highlights the need for motorists to be on heightened alert when entering rail crossings, Transport Minister John Mickel said today.

Mr Mickel said the collision reinforced the message that everyone needed to be especially vigilant when using level crossings.

“This collision demonstrates once again that level crossings are inherently dangerous and need to be approached with particular caution.

“I urge all motorists to remember that every time they turn on the ignition they must turn on their attention,” said Mr Mickel.

The cause of the collision, including the operation of the flashing lights, will be fully investigated to determine exactly what happened.

In this instance, the level crossing had flashing lights and signs, and initial reports indicate that the lights were working.

Mr Mickel said that Queensland was embarking on an unprecedented spending program to improve rail level crossing safety across the state that will reduce crashes, save lives and create jobs.

“All up the program will have a total value of about $65 million,” said Mr Mickel

“This is made up of a $42 million Federal Government injection, along with a further $13 million in an existing long-term Open Level Crossing Protection Strategy.

“This is in addition to the $10 million allocated through the QR Taskforce.

“Works to be undertaken at level crossing sites may include, boom gates and flashing lights, active advanced warning lights and signs, rumble strips, flashing strobe lights and additional signage and road markings,” said Mr Mickel.

The location of the upgrade works are currently being investigated and the Coombs Street rail level crossing in Cairns where the collision occurred last night, will be considered.

QR, with support from Queensland Transport, is also running a $1 million community education campaign to improve level crossing safety following the two recent fatal collisions and ongoing concerns about motorists’ behaviour.

The statewide, ‘Some things are worth waiting for’ campaign, includes TV, radio and newspaper advertising and aims to educate drivers about what they are risking if they ignore warnings at level crossings.

“Level crossing safety in some ways is very simple, it requires people to obey road rules and stop at a stop sign, flashing lights, or boom gate. When it comes to making the level crossings themselves safer it requires a three pronged approach of education, enforcement and engineering improvements.

“210 motorists struck level crossing infrastructure, including boom gates last year. To have one incident where a motorist disobeys flashing lights or boom gates is one too many, but to have 210 is completely beyond belief.

“I appeal to motorists to take special care and obey all traffic signs and signals when approaching level crossings,” Mr Mickel said.

Media contact: 3237 1125

18 February 2008

Note to editors:

Video of QR’s advertisement can be downloaded from QR’s website; http://www.railsmart.com.au/RailwayCrossings.html