Transport for NSW is reminding motorists to follow the rules and be safe around level crossings every time they’re on the road, after a joint enforcement operation with New South Wales Police resulted in a number of people receiving fines and demerit points.
Between 16 and 27 September, police patrolled five level crossings around Tamworth and Currabubula to help increase safety and remind drivers to slow down and obey level crossing rules.
Over the enforcement period, police detected seven level crossing offences, 12 speeding offences and 23 other offences including mobile phone use, driving unregistered vehicles and driving without a valid license.
A man, 51, was issued a $544 fine and three demerit points for entering and stopping on the roadway at a level crossing in Tamworth. Another man from New South Wales, a man from Queensland and a woman from ACT were issued the same penalty for not stopping at rail crossings. Three other drivers were issued the same penalty for disobeying level crossing rules.
Transport for NSW Director Road Safety Strategy and Policy, Ralston Fernandes, said these campaigns are important to raise awareness about dangerous driving at level crossings and deter drivers who disobey the rules.
“Despite visible police presence at these level crossings, some motorists were still breaking the rules and doing the wrong thing. Disobeying stop signs and entering level crossings when the road is blocked can have deadly consequences for the driver, passengers, pedestrians and people on the train,” he said.
“We want everyone to reach their destination safely, however, we can’t do this alone. We need drivers to follow the rules and behave responsibly at level crossings to prevent the loss of more lives on our roads.
“Between July 2014 and June 2024, there were 64 collisions between trains and vehicles at level crossings across NSW. Sadly, eight people died and nine people were seriously injured as a result. These are eight people who never made it back home to their loved ones,” Mr Fernandes said.
Acting Superintendent Martin Searle, Commander Traffic Operations said, rushing through level crossings is not worth the risk.
“A split-second decision at a level crossing can have life changing consequences, as some trains can take more than a kilometre to come to a complete stop, so even if they see you, they can’t stop,” he said.
“We are urging all motorists to be patient and pay attention to the signs, as there is no excuse for putting lives on the line by rushing to the other side.
“We also want the community to remember police could be patrolling anywhere anytime at level crossings across regional NSW and whether during an enforcement campaign period or not, we’re always focused on increasing safety at level crossings and helping people get home to their loved ones.”
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