Shocking video catches Queenslanders playing chicken with trains
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
These could be scenes from a grotesque new reality TV show, in which people try their hardest to get too close to a moving train.
But they are videos from Queensland Rail safety cameras, showing vehicle drivers ignoring stop lights at railway crossings, crashing through boom gates, and driving into the path of an oncoming train.
Some drivers, having realised they should have stopped sooner, go to incredible lengths to escape, like smashing through boom gates or trying to U-turn on the train tracks.
There are pedestrians running across rail lines in front of moving trains, and there’s a large number of trucks slicing their tops off trying to get under railway bridges they were clearly too high for.
This Rail Safety Week, the Queensland Government hopes the state’s road users will watch the video and learn.
Queensland Rail figures show there were 150 near misses with trains involving vehicles and pedestrians in the 2021-2022 financial year, up from 109 the year before.
There were 59 bridge strikes, down from 64 the previous year.
Queensland Transport Minister, Mark Bailey, said people have to be aware and focussed on safety when on or near the railway.
“Any incident on the railway is one too many, so it’s disappointing to see vision of customers running on the platform, rushing through safety gates and cars racing the boom arm at level crossings.
“Risky behaviour like this is never okay when trains can travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometres an hour, and overhead wires are supercharged with 25,000 volts.
“A moment of distraction or impatience can change your life forever, but it can also have a lifelong impact on our rail staff.
“Even if it’s just a near miss, the impact that can have on a train driver, train guard, or nearby station staff can be unimaginable.”
Queensland Rail Head of south-east Queensland, Scott Riedel, said Rail Safety Week was a reminder of some hard facts.
“Queensland Rail’s trains can move at up to 160 kilometres per hour. They can’t stop quickly and are unable to swerve, so the difference between near miss and tragedy can be a matter of just seconds
“We all lead busy lives, and while it’s tempting to run to make your train, try to beat closing train doors, or rush on escalators or stairs, it’s simply not worth injuring yourself just to save a few minutes.
“And, for motorists, please know the height and load of your vehicle and steer clear of rail bridges where your vehicle or load is too tall.”
TrackSAFE Foundation’s executive director, Heather Neil, said one person is killed or injured on the Australian rail network every 2.5 days.
“A moment of distraction can change your life and unsafe actions also affect a train or tram driver and other rail workers lives forever.”
