Drivers urged to be safe around Aurizon rail crossings after near misses

“Every near miss can have a real and traumatic impact our train drivers”: Australian company speaks out after revealing the increased near misses at sites across the region, including Gladstone, Dingo and Blackwater. WATCH THE SHOCKING VIDEO.

The heart-stopping moment a car sits across railway tracks as a train speeds towards it desperately sounding its horn, before moving out of the way mere seconds before disaster, has illustrated the extreme danger Central Queensland motorists are putting themselves in at level crossings.

The frightening incident happened at Jefferis Road near Gladstone, with the train passing through just six seconds after the car moves out of the way.

In the past 12 months, Aurizon has recorded a staggering 35 near misses at level crossings across the region, frustrating train drivers and the company’s safety experts.

Aurizon’s head of safety Catherine Peppler says Aurizon train drivers continue to experience reckless behaviour at level crossings and in the rail corridor.

“Every near miss is putting the lives of our train drivers and the lives of motorists and pedestrians at risk,” she said.

“While most people in the community do the right thing, it’s very concerning there are still people who continue to put their lives and the lives of our train drivers at risk.”

Ms Peppler said train drivers had reported repeated dangerous near misses at the level crossings at Ardurad Road in Blackwater, and Normanby Street in Dingo.

Aurizon train drivers continue to experience reckless behaviour at level crossings and in the rail corridor, with 35 near misses across Central Queensland in 12 months. Photo: Brett Wortman

Aurizon is urging motorists to be more cautious as part of national Rail Safety Week, after revealing the high statistics across the region.

“We need the community to understand that our train drivers can’t simply stop or swerve to miss a vehicle or a person on the tracks. Even when the emergency brakes are applied, our trains can’t stop quickly,” she said.

“Every near miss can have a real and traumatic impact on our train drivers. Every incident can have a devastating outcome for the person involved and our drivers and their families.

“We are urging the community to slow down, stop taking shortcuts and obey the law at level crossings and rail corridors to protect their safety and the safety of our people.”

Aurizon has produced a Rail Safety animation to help educate the community about level crossing safety.

National Rail Safety Week is a community awareness week held by rail industry body The TrackSAFE Foundation. Find more information here.