Skip to main content

Network Rail warns commuters after near misses with trains

Britain’s network Rail is warning commuters to take care on level crossings after new figures revealed that more than half of all near misses with trains at level crossings over the last five years took place during the evening rush hour. To combat the problem and help improve the safety of everyone who travels on or across the railway, Network Rail has launched a new level crossing safety awareness campaign targeting commuters, reminding them to take care at level crossings, particularly as they travel
March 3, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Britain’s 5021 network Rail is warning commuters to take care on level crossings after new figures revealed that more than half of all near misses with trains at level crossings over the last five years took place during the evening rush hour.

To combat the problem and help improve the safety of everyone who travels on or across the railway, Network Rail has launched a new level crossing safety awareness campaign targeting commuters, reminding them to take care at level crossings, particularly as they travel home from work.

According to Network Rail, in the last five years, there have been more than 500 near misses involving cyclists, motorists and pedestrians during the peak travel hours for commuters –7-9am and 4-7pm. Six out of every ten of these incidents occur during the evening rush hours.

Network Rail’s campaign launch coincides with British Transport Police’s (BTP) Operation Look level crossing safety initiative.  BTP and Network Rail safety teams will be at level crossings across Britain today handing out leaflets and travel card holders carrying key safety messages and giving advice on how to use level crossings safely to commuters and other level crossing users.

Related Content

  • December 22, 2017
    Network Rail: campaign to reduce alcohol-related railway incidents
    To combat the 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the railway in 2016/17, 16% of which took place over the festive period; Network Rail, British Transport Police, RSSB and charity Drinkware have launched a campaign called Keep a Clear Head. The scheme is also encouraging the public to keep a clear head on the rail network using local and national communications channels, including across social media.
  • October 5, 2018
    One in seven UK drivers would cross a level crossing illegally, says study
    One in seven UK drivers would drive over a level crossing before the barrier or gate has opened, according to new research. Research agency Populus carried out a study on behalf of Network Rail which reveals six UK drivers have been killed at level crossings in the last five years. There are also around 46 incidents every week in the UK involving vehicles at level crossings – a third of which are caused by lorries, followed by cars at 28%. According to the report, one in nine drivers would go over a l
  • October 26, 2017
    Lorries hitting rail bridges peak in October causing hours of delays and cancellations, Network Rail
    Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers will suffer hours of delays and cancellations this month as figures for oversized lorries hitting low bridges (bridge-strikes) peaked in October/ November to around ten reported incidents every day, according to a new campaign by Network Rail. In addition, there are 2,000 bridge strikes every year costing the taxpayer some £23 million ($30 million) in damages and delays.
  • July 20, 2021
    Pittsburgh reveals pedestrian crash rates 
    Nearly 90% of crashes occurred within 500 feet of a transit stop, says startling new report