As National Rail Safety Week is on its way in August, South Australians are being urged to Stand Back. Look Up. Stay Rail Safe around trains, trams and rail lines.
Launching the Statewide awareness campaign last week (25 July), the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) said it took only a moment of distraction or unsafe action, to change a person’s life forever.
“The campaign will focus on the most at-risk age groups, including school-aged children and seniors, over a three-month period across social media, digital advertising, radio and information teams at high-risk locations on the rail network,” DIT said.
“On average, six collisions and 110 near misses involving either a person or a vehicle are reported by rail operators in South Australia each year,” it said.
The Department said the trauma when a train hit a person or a vehicle was enormous and far reaching.
“Not only for those injured or killed and their families, but also the train driver, other rail staff, emergency service workers and the local community,” it said.
“Even minor incidents regularly cause extended service disruptions, motorist delays and property damage.
“Near misses can also cause severe and lasting trauma, particularly for train drivers, staff and passengers on board.”
It said rail safety was everyone’s responsibility.
“We need to look out for each other and pay attention to our surroundings.”
DIT said pedestrians, cyclists and motorists should always stay behind the white line when waiting for a train or tram or to cross at a level crossing and be sensible, pay attention and be alert around trains and on platforms, checking for oncoming trains in both directions.
It said they should stay alert and look both ways, ensure they only cross rail tracks at dedicated pedestrian and vehicle crossings and remember to put mobile phone away, dismount from bikes and remove headphones when near train tracks.
