Media centre

Tuesday 6 Nov 2007

DERBYSHIRE LEVEL CROSSING USERS URGED NOT TO RUN THE RISK

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Network Rail and British Transport Police will be reminding motorists and pedestrians of the dangers of level crossing misuse at Spondon level crossing today. The awareness day, is part of Network Rail's ‘Don't Run The Risk’ campaign to highlight the severe risks drivers, cyclists and pedestrians take in ignoring or trying the beat the red signals, barriers and klaxons at level crossings. The campaign includes TV, radio and print advertising as well as awareness days. Mark Tarry, Network Rail's Area General Manager for the East Midlands said: "These awareness days represent a great opportunity to spread the 'Don’t Run the Risk' message to a wider audience. Our message to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists is clear - level crossings are safe if used correctly, but misuse them and your chance of surviving being hit by a train is virtually zero." There have been seven recorded incidents of level crossing misuse in Derbyshire so far this year, five of which have occurred at Spondon. In two instances, lorries attempting to run the red lights have struck lowering level crossing barriers. Inspector Allan Radford of British Transport Police added: "Our main concern is for the safety of those who use level crossings. We are more interested in preventing accidents and saving lives than enforcement and fines. Most accidents are as a result of impatience; not being prepared to wait and trying to beat the train. For the sake of 60 seconds, a little patience can prevent lives being ruined." Level crossing misuse now represents the largest single risk of a train accident on the railway.