Motorists urged to take care for national Rail Safety Week

22/07/2008

The Public Transport Authority is cracking down on Perth motorists who continue to dice with death at railway level crossings.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced two months’ worth of findings from red-light cameras installed at two suburban level crossings.

The cameras, installed at Welshpool Road in Welshpool and Kelvin Road in Maddington, recorded 668 incidents in June alone, as well as 535 in May.

“Last year, the PTA became the first rail authority in Australia to install red-light cameras at railway crossings,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“Three cameras were installed at crossings which PTA and Main Roads WA research identified as being the worst for driver behaviour.

“During June, there were 668 incidents at the two locations, of which 579 occurred at Welshpool Road.”

PTA began issuing cautions on May 1 this year.  After a one-month education period, erring motorists started incurring infringements - carrying a $200 fine and four demerit points - from June 1 this year.

The Minister said the initiative reflected concern about the risky behaviour of motorists and the resulting effect of near-misses on train drivers, other staff and commuters.

“Motorists who try to beat the boom gates at railway level crossings or weave between lowered gates are playing Russian roulette with 100 tonnes of steel moving at up to 100km per hour,” she said.

National Rail Safety Week aims to increase community awareness about rail safety and consequently improve road user behaviour at level crossings.

“We want to remind drivers, as well as cyclists and pedestrians, to always pay extra attention and take care at level crossings,” Ms MacTiernan said.