Friday 10 Aug 2007

MEDIA INVITATION: 'DON’T RUN THE RISK' AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AT WAVERLEY

Region & Route:
Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Date: Monday 13 August Time: 10am Venue: Waverley Railway Station, Edinburgh Contact: Network Rail Media Relations – 0141 555 4108 / 07917 775 805 Stewart Stevenson MSP, Transport Minister, and Ron McAulay, Director Scotland, will mark the Scottish launch of a Network Rail level crossings awareness campaign this Monday at Edinburgh, Waverley Station. The ‘Don’t Run the Risk’ campaign will target drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users to remind them of the dangers of level crossing misuse. The campaign includes television and radio advertising, a billboard and poster campaign, targeted letter drops and an interactive display stand, which will tour locations throughout Scotland. Stewart Stevenson MSP, Transport Minister commented: "The biggest safety risk on Scotland’s railways is from people ignoring level crossings signals. All crossings have red lights and klaxons to warn drivers to stop, yet some people still think it's worth taking the risk of driving out in front of a train. "It is important that this issue is not ignored and that we shake drivers, and other level crossings users, out of their complacency from time to time. This campaign helps to do that by highlighting the dangers of abusing level crossings – if you are struck by a train, your chances of survival are virtually zero." Ron McAulay, Network Rail, Director Scotland said: "Surprisingly, some of the worst level crossings offenders are the over-65s. Along with 18 to 25 year old males, elderly drivers make up the majority of those abusing level crossings. 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. "'The Don’t Run the Risk' campaign appeals to people's common sense – the thought that their families and friends will almost certainly lose a loved one if they are struck by a train. Preventing accidents and saving lives is far more important to us than enforcement and fines." The 'Don’t Run The Risk' display stand, being demonstrated to Mr. Stevenson on Monday includes a touch-screen video game, a wig-wag level crossing light and other informative display materials. The game, based on a ‘Who Wants to Be Millionaire’ format, challenges passers-by to answer questions on railway safety and then rates them on their scores. ENDS

Notes to editors

- There are 647 crossings in Scotland - 100 are public crossings, the remainder are on private property - 33 are full barrier crossings - 31 are half-barrier - 36 are open crossings - Approximately 1,500 incidents of level crossings abuse were reported to Network Rail in Scotland in the last 12 months.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - Scotland
0141 555 4109
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

About Network Rail

We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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