Level crossing near-misses caught on camera in the South
Network Rail has released the footage as part of a campaign aimed at keeping children safe during the school holidays
Shocking video footage, showing children playing chicken with trains on level crossings in the South, has been released as part of a new safety campaign.
Network Rail is urging young people to think about the dangers of misusing the railways as the school holidays get underway.
There were 258 incidents of misuse and 33 near misses across Kent last year - the most were at crossings in East Farleigh and Bax
More widely, across Network Rail’s Southern region which serves rail passengers and freight operators from Devon in the West to Kent in the East right across the South of England, longer term trends (since 2017) show the number of level crossing misuse incidents has decreased by 15%, but the number of near misses has increased by 31%.
Network Rail has also launched its ‘Distracted? You’ve Crossed the Line’ safety campaign which aims to positively encourage young adults (aged 18-34) to take responsibility for their own personal safety and illustrate distractions such as taking selfies, listening to music or looking at a phone when using a level crossing.
Sam Pead, Network Rail’s Southern region level crossing manager, said:
"While our railway is one of the safest in Europe, its critical people understand the dangers and potential consequences of misusing level crossings.
"It’s important to remember that some of the dangers on the railway aren’t always visible. Across the Southern region trains can travel up fast as 140mph and are largely powered by the third rail which carries more than enough electricity to kill or seriously injure and is always on."
Dan O’Riordan, South Western Railway’s Head of Security and Safety Assurance, said:
"It is saddening to see that, over the last year, the number of incidents of people misusing level crossings has risen by nearly a quarter.
"Misusing level crossings is extremely dangerous, especially as most on our network have a third rail running through them carrying enough electricity to seriously injure, or worse. Our trains also pass through them at speeds of up to 100mph.
"We hope that this latest video, showing examples of where people have risked their own safety at level crossings, will encourage people to use them responsibly and recognise the dangers of the railway."
Passengers who see any incidents of people jumping level crossing barriers are asked to reporting any concerns to British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040.