‘Shocking vision’ highlights 300pc increase in near misses
Motorists dicing with death by running red warning signals to beat the Kuranda train have been targeted in an urgent safety message from Queensland Rail. SEE THE VISION
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MOTORISTS dicing with death by running red warning signals to beat the Kuranda train have been targeted in an urgent safety message from Queensland Rail.
The warning has been prompted by a threefold increase in level crossing near misses last year as Queensland Rail moves to upgrade level crossing CCTV cameras.
A total of eight near misses in 2020 skyrocketed to 31 in 2021.
Queensland Rail’s Head of Regional Jim Benstead said near misses between trains and motorists at Far North Queensland level crossings had almost tripled last year.
“This Road Safety Week, Queensland Rail is urging everyone to keep safety front of mind and take extra care near railway crossings following a steep increase in near-miss incidents reported,” Mr Benstead said.
“In 2021, Queensland Rail reported 31 near misses with cars at railway crossings across Far North Queensland – all of which could have been avoided.
“This is up from just eight near-miss incidents reported in 2020, marking an almost 300 per cent increase.
The Upward St level crossing recorded the most near misses in the region with 15 out of the 31 reported in 2021, and four out of the eight reported in 2020.
Mr Benstead said alarming CCTV footage released on Thursday showed a reckless driver, dicing with death to dash across the tracks at the Upward St crossing, narrowly avoiding a collision with the Kuranda Scenic Railway train which passed through just seconds after.
“The shocking vision released today shows a driver blatantly ignoring the signs and activated flashing lights,” he said.
“Trains on the regional network can travel at speeds of up to 160kmph and can’t stop quickly or swerve. It can take only a matter of seconds for a near miss to turn into a tragedy.
The Aumuller St and Thompson Rd railway crossings are expected to have CCTV upgrades completed this month.
“While Queensland Rail continues to invest in engineering solutions and technology, community education, and working with police on enforcement, we really need motorists to play their part and heed the warnings in place for their safety,” he said.
“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 $1102 and four demerit points.”
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Originally published as ‘Shocking vision’ highlights 300pc increase in near misses
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