Rail Safety Week (August 10-16) kicks off today, the annual event shining a spotlight on the importance of staying safe on and around rail. Now in its 21st year, Rail Safety Week will see more than 150 organisations representing rail, law enforcement, government and community groups across Australia highlighting how to be rail safe, every day of the year.

On Tuesday 11 August, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison will join representatives from the rail industry at a memorial service hosted by the TrackSAFE Foundation and NSW TrainLink at the Australian Railway Monument at Werris Creek, in northwest NSW, considered the state’s first railway town.

The Monument pays tribute to rail workers who have lost their lives throughout Australia’s rail history, and the special service will be attended by representatives from rail industry, government officials, unions, families and community members.

In addition to reminding the community of how to stay safe on and around trains and light rail, this week sees the launch of TrackSAFE’s new national campaign, reminding road users ‘When Roads Cross Rail. Follow the Signs’.

Railway tracks & crossings, places where a road and or footpath cross a railway line, are a common sight across the country. Australia has around 33,000km of rail tracks and more than 20,000 railway crossings.  TrackSAFE’s campaign reminds road users, vehicle, bikes and pedestrians to follow signs and road rules at railway crossings, including; stopping when red lights are flashing, stopping at boom gates, not queuing over tracks and obeying Giveway and Stop signs.

There were 5 fatalities, 17 injuries & 893 near hits at railway crossings reported to the rail regulator in 2025. In 2024 there were 4 fatalities, 21 injuries & 870 near hits at railway crossings.  Collisions & near collisions at railway crossings are ongoing issues that put lives at risk. They can have serious impacts on train drivers, other rail workers and the wider community, along with severely disrupting rail services and traffic flow.

Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Chief Executive Officer and TrackSAFE Foundation Board Director Caroline Wilkie said rail industry organisations across Australia and New Zealand would also be marking Rail Safety Week through a range of events and initiatives.

“The rail industry will be out in force this week, highlighting the importance of keeping both rail workers and community members safe on and around the rail network,” said Ms Wilkie.

“This is a great reminder for all of us to be aware of our surroundings, follow the signs and help each other stay rail safe every day of the year.”

Ms Wilkie said the ARA would also take the Rail Safety Week message to Parliament House in Canberra, highlighting its importance at its Parliamentary Friends of Rail event this week.

“Rail safety is an issue that affects us all and the ARA looks forward to highlighting this year’s campaign at Parliament House this week,” Ms Wilkie said.

Heather Neil, Executive Director of the TrackSAFE Foundation said, “any death or injury on the rail network is devastating – not just for the family and friends impacted but also for rail workers involved in the incident and the first responders called upon in the rescue effort.”

“Fatalities, incidents and near hits on the network can cause severe and lasting trauma to the rail employees involved, and most of these incidents can be avoided. We urge all road users to always follow the signs when roads cross rail” said Ms Neil.

For more information and access to free Rail Safety Week resources visit here.

Access to fatality and incident data reports can be found here, including state/territory breakdowns.

The TrackSAFE Foundation: www.tracksafefoundation.com.au

• The TrackSAFE Foundation is the rail industry’s harm prevention charity focused on reducing fatalities & injuries on the rail network.
• TrackSAFE also works to improve the wellbeing of the rail workforce, including best practice trauma management.

Australasian Railway Association: www.ara.net.au/

• The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is the peak body for the rail industry in Australia and New Zealand, with more than 240 member organisations.
• The ARA’s program of work is focused on supporting a strong advocacy agenda and creating opportunities for the rail industry to network, collaborate and share information, and maximise the benefits rail has to offer the wider community.

ENDS