Level crossings in metropolitan and many country towns are equipped with flashing lights and several also have boom gates - but many crossings on country roads have only basic railway crossing signage. Regardless of the level of safety warning devices, level crossings must be approached with care at all times.

Railway Level Crossing Safety campaign

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Issues

Any crash that occurs when a motor vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian collides with a train or tram results in major trauma. Research has shown that the major cause of crashes at railway level crossings is road user behaviour. This is largely attributable to inattention, driver distraction, risk taking and disobeying the road rules.

Risk taking at level crossings, whether you are a motorist, cyclist or a pedestrian, is hazardous. Actions like queuing at level crossings, not expecting or looking for a second train, not paying attention to the railway level crossing signs or signals, running warning lights and evading boom gates can result in serious injury or death.

Investigations conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have found in almost every case that the motorist failed to stop and give way to the train at the level crossing and that there was little the train driver could do to prevent the collision or minimise its effects.

What you can do

Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are urged to observe road signage, boom gates, and warning bells and lights, and take responsibility for their actions wherever a road meets a railway line.

For further information about Level Crossing Black Spot Program including how to nominate a potential Level Crossing Black Spot, please contact on (08) 8343 2887or facsimile (08) 8343 2939.

Be aware:

• trains and trams travel in any direction
• trains and trams can be on any respective line, at any time
• trains and trams are deceptively fast and quiet
• trains and trams can’t swerve to avoid you
• trains and trams can take a long distance to stop. They cannot stop suddenly.

Crossing rail tracks

When crossing train or tram tracks, always:

• wait until the lights and bells stop and the boom gates (if fitted) go up.  If the boom gates stay down and the bells keep ringing it means that there is another train coming, usually from the opposite direction.  Wait until you can see that the tracks are clear IN BOTH DIRECTIONS before crossing
• wheelchairs, prams and strollers should always cross the rails at right angles to the track so that the wheels don’t get trapped
• bikes, rollerblades, skates or skateboards must be walked or carried on station platforms, on the ramps leading up to platforms, through pedestrian mazes, while crossing rail lines, in overpasses or underpasses
• it is illegal to climb down onto tracks or walk on rail tracks at any time, except when you are crossing the tracks at a designated crossing place or a pedestrian maze.

Queuing

Never queue over a level crossing. Not for any reason. Ever. Drivers should ensure that there is a full vehicle length between their vehicle and the one in front of them before they drive into a level crossing.

Speed

Trains and trams move quickly but quietly. Trains have a maximum travel speed of 90 km/h and the maximum travel speed for trams is 80 km/h:

• it is very difficult to judge how fast trains and trams are travelling. Most people are used to judging safe crossing distances where cars are concerned and these are often only travelling at 60 km/h
• always make sure that BOTH rail lines are clear for a long distance before crossing at a pedestrian maze.

Visibility

Be aware of visibility – yours as well as the tram or train driver’s:

• from their driving seat, train drivers cannot see clearly to the left or to the right of the tracks on which their train is travelling. They also cannot see people or objects that are on the tracks directly in front of the train
• even if the train driver can see you, he or she cannot immediately stop the train.  A train travelling at 90 km/h on a dry track needs about 420 metres to stop. This distance is over twice the length of a football oval. The driver will probably not see someone close to the track and, if they could, it would certainly be too late to stop the train and avoid impact
• never assume that, because one train or tram has passed, all rail tracks are clear. Another train or tram may be approaching from the opposite direction. Always make sure that BOTH tracks are clear for a  long distance before crossing rail tracks
• when you see white lights on a train or tram it’s coming towards you. When you see red lights, it’s travelling away from you … just the same as a motor vehicle!

Notify a Level Crossing Incident

If you notice any of the behaviours listed below, please report using the Notification of Level Crossing Incident online form.

• Vehicles queuing over a crossing, driving around or under boom gates
• Vehicles failing to stop on a flashing red signal
• Vehicles failing to stop at a level crossing stop sign
• Pedestrians ignoring level crossing warning devices or failing to use appropriate pedestrian mazes
• Damage or vandalism to signs or level crossing protection equipment.