Media centre

Wednesday 12 Dec 2007

CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS GET CROSSING WARNINGS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Passengers from the Thames Valley who arrived at Paddington station on Saturday for a spot of festive shopping in the capital were targeted by a rail safety team aiming to reduce level crossing incidents along the route. Visitors to the station were invited to play an interactive video game ‘What’s the risk?’ that tests the knowledge of both drivers and pedestrians on the correct use of level crossings. In addition, safety experts from Network Rail, the British Transport Police and train operating companies were on hand to talk to passengers and give advice and information on how to use the railway safely. There have been 54 serious incidents at level crossings in the Thames Valley region since April this year. Nearly half (25) were near misses where trains have narrowly missed cars as drivers have disregarded stop signs, ignored the flashing lights and sirens and driven across the railway tracks, putting themselves and train users at risk. The other 29 incidents include motorists jumping the lights but not caused a near miss, gates at private crossings left open, or people crossing without permission. Andy Coston, Area General Manager for Network Rail said: "Level crossings are safe if used correctly, but misuse them and your chance of surviving being hit by a train is virtually zero. “So many people travel into to London at this time of year, so we’ve joined up with the British Transport Police and the train operating companies to try and spread the ‘Don’t Run the Risk’ message to as many people as possible. Hopefully when they’re back in their home towns this Christmas, they will think twice about jumping the lights at a level crossing and avoid the risk of serious injury or even death to them, their families and others.” As well as awareness days, Network Rail and British Transport Police visit and target misuse at 'hot spot' level crossings in the Thames Valley throughout the year.