KiwiRail Group is reminding people to take care around level crossings this summer.
Acting KiwiRail Group Chief Executive William Peet said one of the best gifts staff could receive this Christmas would be a collision free holiday period.
“Hitting a car at a level crossing is a traumatic experience for train drivers. They are often the forgotten victim in these incidents,” William Peet said.
“Unfortunately the number of level crossing collisions traditionally peaks in December. With more cars on the road during the holiday season we are reminding drivers to take great care around level crossings.
“You need to be prepared to stop every time you approach a level crossing. They are just like any other intersection and drivers must obey the warning signs and follow the road rules.
“So far in 2008, there have been 19 public road level crossing collisions involving vehicles. This is down on the total of 23 for 2007 but one collision is one too many and we would like this downward trend to continue."
There have been five collisions involving pedestrians in 2008.
During 2008 seven public road level crossings and three pedestrian crossings had upgraded alarm systems installed. In 2009, 10 level crossings around the country are planned to be upgraded with either flashing lights and bells or barrier arms. This work is funded by either local roading authorities or the Government.
To be fair to communities around the country an objective system is used to prioritise level crossings for upgrade. The decisions about which crossings to upgrade are based on criteria including the volume of road and rail traffic, the collision history of the crossing and any other relevant factors like visibility along the line.
About half of the approximately 1400 public level crossings on the rail network have electronic warnings in the form of either flashing lights and bells or barrier arms.