Article: More people cross line at railways

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

More people cross line at railways

More people cross line at railways
Marissa Calligeros
December 6, 2011 - 3:00AM

At least one person each day is playing chicken with a train in Queensland.

Figures released by Translink and Queensland Rail show a level-crossing safety campaign launched in October 2010 has failed to arrest the number of people risking their lives on the tracks.

In the last financial year, 382 people were fined $200 for entering a railway crossing while the warning signal was sounding.

However, there were far more near-misses recorded by security cameras.

There were 613 near-miss incidents at level crossings last financial year, predominantly in the southeast corner, according to QR.

The figures published yesterday show the number of drivers and pedestrians fined for ignoring safety signs, gates and flashing lights increased each month this year, jumping from 23 people in January to 71 in July.

But QR said there has been a 33 per cent reduction in near-miss incidents involving cars in the past financial year, and a 15 per cent drop in near-misses involving pedestrians.

QR has attributed the increase in the number of fines issues, to increased security presence on the train network.

"The risk of serious injury or death from level crossing incidents involving pedestrians or vehicles is severe, which is why Queensland Rail has invested heavily in education, engineering upgrades, and work closely with the police on enforcement," a spokeswoman said.

"These efforts have resulted in a reduction in incidents, but any near miss is one too many."

QR is also testing new safety lock gates at five level crossings in Brisbane in a bid to stop impatient pedestrians risking their lives.

The safety lock gates, currently being trialled at Geebung, Woodridge, Morayfield, Murarrie and Wynnum Central, will be rolled out across the state if the trial is successful.

The fine figures released this week also reveal that nearly 22,000 Queenslanders have been fined on the state's public transport system in the past financial year.

The majority - 16,957 - were fined for fare evasion, while 914 commuters were fined for failing to produce a ticket.

Other offenders were fined for a variety of misdemeanours including putting their feet on a seat, spitting on a platform or allowing an animal on the railway.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/more-people-cross-line-at-railways-20111205-1of6p.html#ixzz1fgNWTYyJ