Advertising blitz to warn people to stay safe around Sydney trams
Too many pedestrians are risking their lives around Sydney’s network of trams by not paying attention to their surroundings, with many people captured on CCTV footage walking into the path of the trams in different parts of the city.
NSW
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These are the close-call moments for pedestrians nearly hit by trams — while one man wasn’t so lucky.
Three weeks after transport authorities released footage of reckless and dangerous behaviour of Sydneysiders around trams, come these even more shocking CCTV images — as well as a new safety campaign.
Footage from Lewisham, in Sydney’s inner west, captured a man hit by a tram after he walked straight into its path as he was leaving the station.
In another video at Eddy Ave, opposite Central Station, a tram was forced to brake suddenly when a man dashed in front in wet weather at night.
Transport for NSW Greater Sydney chief operations officer Howard Collins said Sydneysiders had to “ditch the distractions” with tram drivers reporting too many pedestrians were risking their lives.
“A fully loaded tram weighs around 120 tonnes, which is as heavy as a blue whale and it can’t stop quickly, needing several metres to stop in an emergency,” Mr Collins said.
“People are distracted with mobile phones and take chances dashing across the tracks in front of a tram.
“On occasion pedestrians will offer a wave of apology thinking it’s a minor inconvenience, but on board that tram is a driver who was forced to activate their emergency brakes, potentially endangering dozens of passengers in their care.”
Latest figures show since December 1, 179 incidents were reported on the light rail including 157 near-misses with pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists and 22 collisions — four with people.
Of the near misses, nearly 70 involved pedestrians with most narrow escapes occurring in the CBD and Surry Hills.
Mr Collins said: “Trams are quiet and we have a tram every four minutes between Circular Quay at Moore Park and every eight minutes in the southeast, so it’s important for pedestrians to watch out for oncoming trams and only cross the tracks where it is safe to do so.”
An advertising blitz warning pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to stay safe around trams will start on Sunday with Transdev Sydney Light Rail chief officer Brian Brennan saying: “If everyone remembers to: ‘Look left and right, check for trams,’ we can prevent people walking into the path of trams”.
“We have had far too many near-misses, particularly involving pedestrians, and we urge everybody to remain aware of their surroundings when travelling on and around our network.”