Risky driver behaviour at level crossings is to be targeted by police in support of a campaign being rolled out in parts of the State’s Upper Hunter.
Assistant Police Commissioner Michael Corboy said police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Hunter Valley Police District would be increasing patrols at level crossings in the Upper Hunter region.
“The campaign is aimed at increasing public safety and awareness around rail level crossings in regional NSW,” Asst Commissioner Corboy said.
“[This campaign is] part of an ongoing series of enforcement campaigns between the NSW Police Force and the NSW Centre for Road Safety at Transport for NSW,” he said.
“People need to take personal responsibility when around level crossings to ensure the path is clear.”
Asst Commissioner Corboy said police would be on the look-out for motorists disobeying level crossing flashing lights and stop signs; vehicles queuing over railway tracks; speeding near level crossings; and drivers distracted by their mobile phones.
“Speed and distractions are both major factors when it comes to level crossing collisions,” he said.
“Those few moments of inattention can be fatal.”
Asst Commissioner Corby said between July 2008 and January 2020 there had been 76 collisions between trains and cars at level crossings in NSW, resulting in eight people losing their lives and 13 suffering serious injuries.
