This Rail Safety Week (11-15 August 20205) the Australian Transport Safety Bureau joins the rail industry in reminding all road users and pedestrians about their responsibilities when approaching and using a level crossing.
There are more than 23,000 level crossings in Australia, many of which involve interactions between road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. A level of risk to safety exists at all level crossings, and other than misadventure and trespass, accidents at level crossings are the primary cause of railway related fatalities among the general public.
“A moment of distraction in or around trains, level crossings and other rail infrastructure can change the life of a passenger, road user, or rail worker forever,” said ATSB Director Transport Safety Kerri Hughes.
“As such we commend the TrackSAFE Foundation on 20 years of promoting rail safety to positively influence the behaviour of road users by increasing their awareness of safe actions at and around level crossings.”
Tragically, a small proportion of level crossing collisions result in fatalities and/or serious injuries to those in road vehicles.
“Some level crossing collisions involving heavy road vehicles can also result in serious adverse consequences to those on board trains,” Ms Hughes said.
In March 2024, drawing on a range of data sources including investigations, the ATSB published a safety study that reviewed level crossing collisions between trains and heavy road vehicles.
The study identified that, in a number of the accidents reviewed, heavy vehicle drivers were probably distracted prior to the collision or were dividing their attention between driving the vehicle and another task or thought.
Ms Hughes said the safety study was an example of how the ATSB’s independent no-blame safety investigations play an important role nationally in influencing rail safety.
“This Rail Safety Week also coincides with our latest recruitment round seeking rail industry professionals to join the ATSB as rail Transport Safety Investigators,” she said.
“We’re seeking to expand our established cohort of rail specialists and are looking for candidates with proven experience in rail infrastructure or rail operations, and a strong commitment to enhancing safety across the rail industry,” Ms Hughes said.
“The role as a rail safety investigator is ideally suited to those who are curious, detail-oriented, and committed to improving safety outcomes. Highly desirable experience includes train driving and engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, maintenance, signalling and design.”
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the ATSB as a Rail Transport Safety Investigator, more information and how to apply can be found at www.atsb.gov.au/jobs (applications close on 31 August 2025).