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Tuesday 22 Jun 2010

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL CROSSING DAY COMES TO BLOXWICH

Region & Route:

Forty-five countries around the worldare taking part in International Level Crossing Awareness Day to raise awareness of the hundreds of people who are killed globally every year by taking chances running red lights, swerving barriers or ignoring warning signs. The day opf action is coming to Bloxwich to raise awareness of the potential dangers to motorists and pedestrians who misuse level crossings, and to promote the correct way to safely cross the railway.


The combination of frequent trains and high levels of traffic means that Bloxwich level crossing is deemed a high risk to the safety of its users by Network Rail.


70 trains pass through Bloxwich level crossing every day. In a mid-morning survey, 219 vehicles were recorded using the level crossing in just a half hour period.


In Britain, 95% of accidents on level crossings are caused by misuse or error. In 2009, there were 3,242 recorded incidents of misuse or error on the railway network's 7,600 level crossings. Also, last year, 140 near misses between motor vehicles and trains were recorded, as well as 28 deaths in the past two years due to misuse of level crossings.


Network Rail has a 'Don't Run the Risk' public safety awareness campaign on level crossings. The campaign has been running since 2006 and includes hard hitting TV and radio advertising that illustrates in graphic detail the tragic consequences of misusing level crossings by both motorists and pedestrians.


Martin Gallagher, Network Rail’s head of community safety said: “We have a good safety record in comparison to many other countries but even one death is one too many. Jumping the lights and ignoring warning signs is sadly a sight we see all too often. Level crossings are safe, but if misused, they all pose very real risks.


“Today’s international action day gives us another opportunity to drive home the message that running the risk at a level crossing is just not worth it. By trying to save a few seconds, you could end up seriously hurt or losing your life.”


The campaign runs in parallel with other Network Rail and industry initiatives, such as the Police and Crown Prosecution Service, to minimise the safety risk at level crossings and to improve the prosecution of offenders.


British Transport Police chief superintendent Chief Superintendent Eamonn Carroll said: "BTP, in partnership with Network Rail, has made advances in influencing driver behaviour and making them aware of the dangers associated with risking lives at level crossings. Our officers will be deployed at crossings across the country today in order to reinforce that message."