Wednesday 9 Feb 2011
MOTORING MADNESS AT LEVEL CROSSINGS IN LINCOLNSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE CONTINUES
- Region & Route:
The number of motorists involved in near misses with trains at level crossings in Britain increased by 15% in 2010, according to Network Rail. This worrying trend is revealed as it publishes the latest figures on level crossing misuse. It wants people to change their behaviour at level crossings where motorists and pedestrians break the law daily, many causing disruption and damage to rail and road services, with the unfortunate suffering the fatal consequences.
There were 184 recorded incidents of misuse at level crossings in Lincolnshire and Humberside last year. One crossing at Boothferry Road in Goole, saw five reports and was hit by road vehicles on two occasions, although it is thought the true figure is much higher.
Network Rail Community Safety Manager Vicki Smith said: “Too many motorists continue to break the law by jumping the lights or swerving around barriers at level crossings. Hundreds of pedestrians are also risking their lives just trying to save a few seconds – it’s just not worth it. Whilst deaths and injuries are thankfully few, these actions by those who are either impatient or ignorant of the law cause great cost, delay and disruption to both rail and road passengers across Britain.”
Notes to editors
NATIONAL LEVEL CROSSING MISUSE STATISTICS
All data is from 01 January – 31 December 2010
- There were 3,446 recorded incidents of level crossing misuse across Britain’s national railway network. This is slightly up on 2009.
Year | Number of recorded level crossing offences |
2006 | 3221 |
2007 | 2896 |
2008 | 3495 |
2009 | 3244 |
2010 | 3446 |
§ There were 161 near misses between trains and road vehicles. This is up from 2009 (140) and is now more than 3 a week.
§ There were 297 near misses between pedestrians and trains.
§ There were a further 768 incidents reported where pedestrians crossed when it was unsafe to do so, and a further 748 road vehicles crossing when unsafe.
§ There were 7 collisions between road vehicles and trains (down from 14 in 2009)
§ 4 people lost their lives at level crossings (down from 13 in 2009).
Figures also show that there were:
§ 466 incidents of people leaving level crossing gates open
§ 370 incidents of road vehicles striking barriers
§ 75 incidents of people leaving phone off the hook at level crossings
§ 240 incidents of people failing to contact the signaller before crossing
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