Thursday 3 Apr 2008
LINCOLNSHIRE LEVEL CROSSING USERS URGED "DON'T RUN THE RISK"
- Region & Route:
Users of level crossings in Lincolnshire are being reminded of the dangers of level crossing misuse.
Network Rail issued the warning as part of its Don’t Run the Risk campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the severe risks drivers, cyclists and pedestrians take in ignoring traffic light signals, barriers and klaxons at level crossings.
Three near misses were reported at High Ferry crossing on the A16, near Boston, in both 2006 and 2007, with a further incident already in 2008.
Kevin Preece, Network Rail's Area General Manager, said: “These awareness days represent a great opportunity to spread the Don’t Run the Risk message to people who use the level crossings in High Ferry and the surrounding area regularly.
“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.”
A spokesman from the British Transport Police, said: “My main concern is for the safety of those who use level crossings everyday. I am 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.
"I have seen what happens when a train hits a car or person and have had the sad duty of destroying people’s lives by informing them that their loved ones have died. I would urge anyone who thinks trying to beat the red light is OK, take a second to think of the consequences and stop. It might just save your life”.
Level crossing misuse now represents the largest single risk of a train accident on the railway. After High Ferry, the worst in Licolnshire are at Wainfleet Bypass on the A52, at Wainfleet All Saints, Swineshead on the A17, at Swineshead Bridge and Wilsford on the A153, east of Ancaster.
Notes to editors
Level crossing mis-use ranges from road users’ failing to stop when traffic light signals are showing, vehicles zig zagging around lowered barriers, young people playing chicken, to users leaving gates open. Network Rail’s Don’t run the risk campaign was launched in May 2006. Its aim is to change the behaviour of level crossing users – to protect themselves and reduce the danger to train passengers. The work on this campaign is running in parallel with other Network Rail and industry initiatives to minimise the safety risk at level crossings. These include: • Development of solutions which could lead to the replacement of some crossings • Development of obstacle detection systems • Development of lower cost level crossing systems • Developing better and cost-effective ways of detecting and recording level crossings misuse • Working with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service to improve the prosecution of offenders • Highlighting the issues of level crossings to key political stakeholders
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