Rail Safety Week reminder to stay safe on train network

Nearly 100 people put their lives at risk in near misses with trains at level crossings across regional Queensland in the last financial year, prompting Queensland Rail to remind the community of the importance of staying safe around trains. 

Queensland Rail Head of Regional Jim Benstead said that Rail Safety Week (8-14 August) was all about working together on rail safety.

“Queensland Rail's number one priority is safety and we want to prevent any injuries on the rail network. Rail Safety Week is an annual community awareness week, designed to engage the community in safe rail practices," Mr Benstead said.

“In the last financial year (2021-2022), across regional Queensland we saw near misses on the network increase to 94, up from 90 the previous financial year (2020-2021).

 South West Queensland recorded the most near misses at 34, with Far North Queensland following behind with 25 in the last financial year.

“In some positive news, we did see instances of trespass on the regional network decrease by 21.6 percent to 275 (2021-2022) from 351 (2020-2021).

“Queensland Rail's trains can move at up to 160 kilometres per hour – they can't stop quickly and are unable to swerve, so the difference between near miss and tragedy can be a matter of just seconds. 

"Near miss and collision incidents can have a lasting physical and emotional impact on all involved, including the road users and train driver, but also loved ones, witnesses and first responders.

"Ignoring the warnings is not only extremely dangerous, but also illegal and motorists caught ignoring railway crossing protection and damaging or obstructing level crossing infrastructure can be fined up to $1,150 and four demerit points."

This year's Rail Safety Week theme is “Stand up.  Look up.  Stay Rail Safe", with more information available at TrackSAFE Foundation's website

​ENDS