Media centre

Monday 9 Feb 2009

TOUGH SENTENCES NEEDED AS LEVEL CROSSING LAW BREAKING REACHES FIVE YEAR HIGH (Scotland)

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The number of people breaking the law at level crossings is at a five year high, Network Rail revealed today. Running risks at level crossings should come with tough consequences, and Network Rail is calling on Scotland’s judges and sheriffs to stamp down hard on motorists jumping lights and dodging barriers, to act as a clear deterrent.

Last year, over 55 days of delays to trains and passengers were caused by level crossing misuse, costing Network Rail around £1.8million – money that can’t be invested into the railway. The real cost to the industry is far greater as this figure does not include damage to trains or tracks or additional staffing time and cost.

In Scotland, 2008 figures show that there were 201 reports of level crossing misuse, with 85 involving vehicles and 116 involving pedestrians. Of those, 24 incidents were classed as ‘near misses’ – 13 with vehicles and 11 with pedestrians. Although no deaths were reported at level crossings in 2008, 2009 has already seen two pedestrian deaths at Scottish level crossings.

Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher said: “Every week, we see people who ignore warning signs and lights or drive round barriers at level crossings just to save a few minutes. This behaviour has the potential for massive damage, disruption and death. We think that the penalties received need to reflect the seriousness of these crimes, and are calling on the judiciary to consider all these factors when handing down sentences.”

Network Rail welcomes the amendment to the Road Traffic offenders Act (1988) to extend the length of the period of a driving disqualification where a custodial sentence is also imposed. A review of level crossing legislation is also underway across Great Britain and Network Rail will be looking to work with the Scottish Government, law makers and other interested parties to seek tougher action on level crossing offences.

Network Rail’s hard hitting television and radio advertising campaign, which launched in November 2008, is again running across Britain this month. It illustrates in graphic detail the tragic consequences of misusing level crossings by both motorists and pedestrians and is aimed at shaking people out of their complacency.

Mr Coucher added: “We hope that increased awareness of the dangers of taking risks at level crossings, coupled with tough sentences for those caught breaking the law will act as a deterrent, help bring down the number of offences and ultimately save lives.”