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Tuesday 3 Jun 2014

Professional drivers targeted in latest level crossing safety campaign

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Motorists who drive for a living are being targeted in the latest campaign to raise awareness about level crossing safety.

Network Rail has launched ‘the most important stop of the day’ programme aimed at reducing the number of incidents at level crossings involving professional drivers.

Level crossings in Britain are among the safest in Europe but almost a fifth of the 142 near-misses that occurred at level crossings in 2013 included a vehicle driven in a professional capacity - such as a lorry, van, bus or taxi - putting the life of the driver as well as others at risk.

In the West Midlands and north west in 2013, there were at least 15 incidents on level crossings which involved professional drivers.

As well as putting lives at risk, misusing a level crossing could also pose a threat to the career of the driver as it is a criminal offence which could involve a fine, penalty points or even disqualification.

Gareth Evans, level crossing manager at Network Rail, said: “It can be frustrating having to wait at level crossings but they are there for everyone’s safety and are activated for the shortest amount of time to protect drivers from one of the busiest rail networks in the world.

“Misusing crossings can delay trains and traffic and can lead to prosecution, a fine, penalty points or disqualification and potentially pose a real threat to the loss of a motorist’s livelihood.

“Using level crossings correctly is vital and it is certainly the most important stop of the day for any professional driver.”

The programme launch coincides with ILCAD – International Level Crossing Awareness Day – a global initiative supported by 45 countries to raise public awareness on the safety factors and dangers posed by misuse at level crossings.

Over the next week, Network Rail will be working to raise awareness amongst drivers who are using level crossings which have a history of misuse or are close to industrial estates with high volumes of traffic.

Network Rail is also rolling out the programme among its own driving fleet, which includes around 7,400 road vehicles.

In the past four years, Network Rail has invested £130 million into its programme to improve level crossing safety, closing nearly 800 level crossings. It has pledged to close a further 500 crossings in the next five years, investing a further £100 million into its national level crossing safety programme.