Media centre

Thursday 25 Jun 2009

WOULD IT KILL YOU TO WAIT? (Navigation Road)

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Network Rail’s dedicated community safety team will today (25 June) hold a series of ‘Don’t Run the Risk’ awareness events at Britain’s most misused level crossings in support of a European level crossing day of action. The team will be handing out leaflets at Navigation Road in Altrincham 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?’

The awareness day, which aims to combat level crossing misuse and highlight the dangers of ignoring warning signs and barriers has been organised jointly by road and rail sector organisations and government agencies across Europe and will see activities take place across 23 countries.

Stuart Middleton, Network Rail’s area general manager said: "Level crossings are safe if used correctly, but time and time again we see people risking their lives by jumping the gates, swerving around barriers and ignoring warning signs.

“We’re out today to try and hit home the message that running the risk at a level crossing is just not worth it. We're asking 'would it kill you to wait?' We know sadly all too well, that for those that don’t, there can be tragic consequences."

Brian Simpson MEP added: "Making people aware of the dangers and pure stupidity of trying to jump the gates of level crossings is important and whilst one would think that doing such an activity is bordering on the suicidal it is amazing how many people put not only their own lives but other lives at risk on a daily basis, jumping level crossings.

"Throughout Europe, and here in the UK incidents like this are on the increase, and we need to get the message across that used properly level crossings are safe, used wrongly they can be death traps"

Inspector Gary Jones, who is co-ordinating the activities of British Transport Police during the day of action, said: “The multi-agency action taken today follows an extensive programme of awareness and education carried out by local BTP officers.

“The crossing at Navigation Road has been identified to us as problematic and we have committed resources to educating road users and pedestrians about how to use this crossing safely and in accordance with the law.

“Of course, there will always be a small minority who choose to ignore the law and days of action such as this will specifically target these people as well as reinforcing the message that level crossings are safe when used in the correct manner.”

Over 600 people die at level crossings across Europe each year. Last year, 15 people lost their lives in Britain with more than 3,400 incidents of misuse. On average, more than three motorists a week were involved in a near miss, where a train narrowly avoided hitting them after ignoring warning signs or weaving round barriers. There were 20 collisions between trains and motor vehicles for those that didn’t beat the lights.

Whilst even one fatality is too many, the latest European fatality statistics (2008)* reveal Switzerland, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Spain have all tragically seen higher levels than Britain.

European Country/Total number of persons killed by level-crossing accidents in 2008

Hungary 118
Germany 52
Czech Republic 43
Romania 42
Poland 40
France 38
Latvia 27
Austria 25
The Netherlands 18
Spain 17
Portugal 17
Slovakia 17
Great Britain 15

Network Rail's hard hitting level crossing safety campaign 'Don’t Run the Risk' is beginning to have an impact on people’s behaviour, according to research conducted for the company by Millward Brown.

An online survey this spring found:

· Before the recent advertising campaign (November-February) 55% said they understood what not to do at level crossings, post the campaign this rose to 67%.

· 54% of people said that the advert had already influenced their behaviour at level crossings.

· 67% said that it would influence their behaviour at level crossings in the future.

On the campaign research results, Mark Shaoul, head of marketing for Network Rail commented: "The impact we’ve had in driving recognition of the safety campaign with the recent bursts of activity has been phenomenal. We know that translating what people say they will do into real action will be the litmus test, but these results show us we are on the right track for helping to deliver. This, along with many other activities that the business is working on, will help to reduce level crossing incidents and needless injuries and deaths."