Rail Safety Week (August 11-17) kicks off today, the annual event shining a spotlight on the importance of staying safe on and around rail. Now in its 20th year, Rail Safety Week will see more than 100 organisations representing rail, law enforcement, government and community groups across Australia highlighting how to be rail safe, every day of the year.
On Wednesday 13th 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, Transport for NSW 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.
Caroline Wilkie, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Railway Association and TrackSAFE Foundation Board Director said rail industry organisations across Australia would also be marking Rail Safety Week through a range of events and initiatives.
“It is great to see the industry once again showing such strong support for this important initiative, recognising that we all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and others safe around the rail network,” said Ms Wilkie.
“In its first 20 years, Rail Safety Week has provided valuable opportunities to raise awareness about the importance of rail safety, both within the industry and across our community. But as we mark this milestone, we must remember that rail safety needs to be a daily focus for all of us living or working near rail networks.
“Whether we work in rail or use rail in our daily lives, we all need to be aware of the tracks, look for trains, trams and light rail vehicles, and follow signposted rules,” Ms Wilkie said.
Accidents can occur at platforms and in stations because passengers are not staying aware of their surroundings. The TrackSAFE Foundation’s metropolitan campaign reminds passengers to:
- Turn down distractions by taking off headphones
- Look up from their phones
- Stand behind the safety line
- Get a Grip! Hold onto handrails.
- Rail safety messages are also available in Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean.
In addition, TrackSAFE’s regional rail safety message reminds locals and travellers in regional areas that trains can come any time of day or night, including when we are least expecting.
Between 2016-2024, there were 1,556 fatalities & injuries, an average of 173 per year or 14 per month. This includes 744 fatalities (629 suspected suicides, 66 trespassers struck and 44 deaths due to collisions with vehicles and pedestrians at railway crossings) and 812 injuries (516 attempted suicides, 108 trespassers struck and 175 injuries at railway crossings).
Between 2016-2024, there have been 28 fatalities and 156 injuries because of collisions with a road vehicle at a railway crossing and 16 fatalities and 19 injuries because of collisions with a person at a railway crossing.
In addition, there were 8,313 near hits at railway crossings, 4,466 with a road vehicle and 3,847 with people. An average of 923 per year.
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,” 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 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 230 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.