Australians are being urged to take more care when around the nation’s rail network, as statistics reveal seven people die in rail-related incidents per month.

August 7, 2023

Pedestrians and drivers are being urged to take more care when crossing railway lines or standing at platforms, as statistics reveal seven people die on the Australian rail network per month.

Fatalities and near hits can cause severe trauma to rail employees and the wider community, TrackSAFE Foundation and the Australasian Railway Association says.

NSW TransLink customer attendant Luke Tate said it wasn’t uncommon to see people trespassing in the rail corridor, which was disturbing for staff and onlookers.

“Whenever I’ve seen that sort of behaviour, it’s like you feel a sense of hopelessness; everything basically slows down and is happening in slow motion,” he said on Monday.

“With that train bearing down on that person that’s trespassing, or going across a crossing when they shouldn’t be, that train just can’t stop.

“A lot of people don’t understand that it can take around the length of 14 football fields for a train to stop.”

Anthony Healey, a train driver with more than 30 years’ experience, wants people to obey level crossing signage.

“If you get hit by a train, you don’t really get a second chance,” Mr Healey said.

He said rushing across a track or taking a shortcut could not only be the worst decision a person makes, it also significantly impacts those who witness incidents.

In the five years to 2022, there were 84 rail-related fatalities per year, on average and 1,760 level crossing and trespass near hits.

TrackSAFE Foundation and the Australasian Railway Association are calling on the public to take more care around railway lines.

“This week we are reminding everyone to be more alert and aware when near or on the rail network – a moment of distraction can change your life forever,” chair Danny Broad said.

“Let’s remember to take off our headphones, not use our phone while getting on to a train and always obey signs at level crossings – whether we’re a pedestrian or a driver in a vehicle.”

Rail Safety Week runs August 7-13 with metropolitan and regional safety campaigns.