The Trains Can’t Stop Quickly. You Can. campaign aims to prevent future collisions and near miss incidents involving motorists at railway level crossings throughout Queensland.
The issue
Safety is Queensland Rail's number one priority. We want to ensure everyone in the community is getting to their destinations safely every day. Last financial year (2022-23) Queensland Rail recorded 91 near misses between motorists and trains at level crossings across regional Queensland, up from 81 the previous financial year (2021-23). That’s too many, and the consequences are high - level crossing incidents carry the risk of serious injury, or worse.
Trains can come at any time, day or night. They can’t swerve or stop quickly. Our message is clear: always obey the level crossing signs and signals and check for trains in both directions.
Stopping at a level crossing may take a few minutes, but not stopping could cost you a lot more.
Motorists caught ignoring railway crossing protection and damaging or obstructing level crossing infrastructure can be fined up to $1,238 and four demerit points. The ultimate consequence though, is risking your life.
Level crossing protection is in place for a reason, and if you ignore the warnings and cause damage to safety infrastructure, you are endangering your own life and that of other road users, train operators, and train passengers. The maximum penalty for causing damage to rail infrastructure is $12,384 in addition to the repair bill.
Queensland Rail is committed to improving safety at level crossings through investment in education, engineering upgrades and working with the Queensland Police Service on enforcement, but we need your help. Always obey the level crossing signs and signals to help avoid incidents and save lives.