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Wednesday 23 Jun 2010

NETWORK RAIL ASKS MITCHAM EASTFIELDS ‘WOULD IT KILL YOU TO WAIT?’

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail targeted motorists and pedestrians using the level crossing at Mitcham Eastfields this week to raise awareness about the dangers of ignoring warning signs, lights and barriers at level crossings.

The level crossing at Mitcham Eastfields experiences frequent misuse by motorists and pedestrians who ignore the warning signs and risk their lives crossing when the lights are flashing and barriers are closing or closed.

During a covert observation carried out by British Transport Police earlier this year, 70 vehicles were witnessed jumping the red lights between 7am and 5pm, with vehicles stopped in the yellow box junction on 117 occasions. Six of these had to reverse out of the box junction so that the level crossing barriers could be lowered to allow trains to pass through.

Ellie Reilly, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: “Jumping the lights and ignoring warning signs is sadly a sight we see all too often, and in many cases with tragic outcomes. Level crossings are safe, but if misused, they all pose very real risks. We’re driving 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 losing your life.”

Tuesday’s event was part of Network Rail’s ongoing Don’t Run the Risk campaign which aims to combat level crossing misuse, save lives and keep trains running. It was organised by Network Rail’s dedicated community safety team, in partnership with British Transport Police, Southern Railway and Merton Council.  

Throughout the day the team monitored the crossing and spoke with motorists and pedestrians about misuse and offered advice and information on how to stay safe on the railway. Leaflets were also handed out that spell out the chilling truth that taking a chance at a level crossing might be the last thing you do, and pose the question, ‘Would it kill you to wait?’.

Despite the visible presence of police officers, two motorists were caught jumping the lights and received cautions. CCTV footage from the crossing is being collected for a number of yellow box junction offences.

International efforts
The event was held on 22 June to coincide with International Level Crossing Day of Action, which sees awareness raising activities held in 45 countries worldwide. Hundreds of people globally are killed at crossings every year, with the USA taking the unwanted title of world leader for rail crossing deaths.

PC Chris Shepherd from British Transport Police said: “Today’s initiative is part of an ongoing effort to educate people about the importance of using crossings safely. Our main aim is to engage with people and reinforce a safety message that is well-heeded by the majority of pedestrians and motorists. We will, however, take firm action against those who do intentionally break the law.”

A spokesman from Southern Railway, which manages Mitcham Eastfields station, said: “All too often it’s not just the people responsible for incidents at level crossings who are affected. People who take needless risks put their own lives in danger but also put the lives of passengers, pedestrians and other motorists at risk. Each incident which leads to a line closure also affects thousands of passengers, often causing severe delays and cancellations.”