Drivers put on notice over passengers stepping off Melbourne’s trams

It’s a hidden risk on Melbourne’s roads, with thousands of near misses every year, and now drivers are being put on notice.

Over 2500 near misses and incidents were reported across the tram network in 2021. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Car drivers have been put on notice as thousands of roadside incidents and near misses involving passengers boarding or leaving trams are reported annually.

And more than 700 vehicle-to-tram crashes occurred in 2022 after a decrease in accidents during the pandemic.

Tram passenger Ginny Hollands was nearly hit by a car as she was about to board a tram in Fitzroy North in November.

“It was really terrifying when the car accelerated towards me … I feel so lucky that I saw it in time and was able to jump back onto the tram stop,” she said.

“Drivers need to understand that when a tram stops, they need to stop too. What if I’d been elderly or disabled or had headphones on and the car didn’t stop?”

Ms Hollands’ experience was one of the 2632 passenger roadside incidents and near misses reported in 2021, according to Transport Department data for the tram network.

Road rules require drivers to stop behind trams until the doors close and pedestrians have stopped crossing.

Ginny Hollands was almost collected by a car as she stepped of a tram. Picture: Supplied

Drivers not stopping face fines up to $413.

Yarra Trams acting CEO Adele McCarthy said each year there were hundreds of close calls when a car dangerously failed to stop behind a tram when its doors were open.

“I’m proud of our collaboration with the Department of Transport to relaunch an important awareness campaign on this issue,” she said.

“We’ll continue to work closely with Victoria Police to ensure those who unlawfully fail to stop for a tram are held accountable for their actions.”

Minor vehicle-to-tram collisions fell over the pandemic, from an average of 1110 in 2018 and 2019 to 566 in 2020.

There have been 750 crashes so far in 2022.

The number of serious crashes has fallen by 50 per cent over the last five years.

Ms McCarthy said trams weighed more than 60 tonnes and couldn’t swerve to avoid collisions.

“So I urge all motorists to look out for trams when crossing tram tracks,” she said.

“Over the last two years the Department of Transport and Yarra Trams have invested to install tram separation kerbing along some of the busiest city streets, which has cut the rate of vehicle-to-tram collisions.”

“Beyond reducing collisions and making the road safer for our passengers and other vehicles, this kerbing has also reduced journey times and improved traffic flow.”

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said 75 per cent of Melbourne’ tram network was shared with other road users.

“So take extra precaution when you’re behind the wheel, because even low speed collisions with tram passengers can have fatal consequences,” he said.

Melbourne has the world’s biggest tram network, with 250km of track and nearly 500 trams.