Spike in number of Melbourne motorists smashing into trams sparks crash warning

Yarra Trams has recorded an alarming spate of car smashes with trams — at least three motorists involved in collisions every day in Melbourne. See how the company plan to combat the figures.

Melbourne motorists warned to look out for trams after an alarming spate of crashes with cars, many of which involved vehicles turning on to tram tracks.

So far this year Yarra Trams has recorded more than 450 car smashes — almost three a day.

CCTV footage from inside the cabin or from the sides of trams shows the careless nature of drivers in some of the incidents.

In one case, a driver and then a passenger briefly get out of a car parked alongside a tram-stop on St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North, but when the tram departs the vehicle simply veers into its side.

And the video recorders also captured a car-into-tram crash at the notorious roundabout at the junction of Dudley and William Sts near the Queen Victoria Market.

The spike in cases has prompted Yarra Trams to reboot its ‘skateboarding rhino’ campaign which first introduced in 2011.

Trams weigh up to 30 rhinoceroses and a tram travelling at 30km/h has a minimum stopping distance of 13m.

The rhino on a skateboard campaign first launched in 2011.

Keolis Downer Yarra Trams chief executive Carla Purcell said motorists should remember to always look for trams before turning, and then give way.

“We want our employees, our passengers, motorists and members of the community to be safe when travelling on and around trams,’’ Ms Purcell said.

About 75 per cent of Melbourne’s 250km tram network is shared with other road users.

“Our drivers are highly skilled and always seeking to avoid a collision, but sometimes they are unable to stop in time,” she said.

The video was released to point out the impact that crashes can have on tram drivers and passengers.

About 75 per cent of Melbourne’s tram network is shared with other road users. Picture: Ian Currie

Cars colliding with trams can cause serious injury, delays and may also affect services on other routes. Incidents are most common in the Melbourne CBD.

Last year, the Herald Sun reported a rise in near-misses involving pedestrians.