Media centre

Wednesday 9 Feb 2011

MOTORING MADNESS AT LEVEL CROSSINGS IN THE SOUTH WEST CONTINUES

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

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.

Last year there were nearly 200 level crossing incidents in the South West of England and level crossings in Devon, Cornwall and Gloucestershire recorded the most number of misuse. There were also around 27 near misses caused by misuse of level crossings last year.

There were 3,446 recorded incidents of misuse at level crossings across Britain last year, although it is thought the true figure is much higher. Whilst the number of near misses is up, collisions with trains has halved from 14 in 2009 to seven. Fatalities too were down from 13 to four.

Network Rail route director Mark Langman 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.”