Safety around train lines and railway stations is on the agenda this week as the state government launches the annual rail safety campaign, Rail Safety Week.
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The Tracksafe Foundation, which runs the yearly awareness-raising initiative with the Australasian Railway Association, defines the aim of the week as “to illustrate the importance of exercising caution when using the rail network and particularly, that the onus [is] on members of the public to take responsibility for their own actions”.
“Fatalities, incidents and near-hits on the network cause severe and lasting trauma to the rail employees involved, and every one of these is 100 percent avoidable,” its website reads.
In even simpler terms, one of the foundation’s key messages to be promoted throughout this week, stretches to just eight words.
“Don’t trespass or take shortcuts across railway tracks.”
The advice seems like common sense, but as is often the case, good judgement can be hard to come by.
To highlight the point, regional rail operator V/Line released footage of one recent incident on the Bendigo line, showing a man crossing the railway line after unlocking the latch on the pedestrian safety gate – a move that should have been a clear indication what he was about to do might not be all that sensible.
After waiting for a passenger train to pass, the man comes perilously close to being struck by a freight train travelling at considerable speed in the opposite direction, avoiding what would have undoubtedly been a fatal collision by just seconds.
The man’s actions, described by V/Line chief executive officer James Pinder as “senseless and reckless”, are in flagrant violation of the sort of sense most of us assume to be “common” but is all too often lacking.
To consider the risks – death – and possible advantages – a few seconds saved on a walk home – and still proceed with such a course of action beggars belief, but the video proves there are still those who need reminding of the bleeding obvious.
That being the case, Mr Pinder’s plea for residents to avoid taking unnecessary risks is timely, and the reason Rail Safety Week is an annual event, clear.
“The railway is not a playground and at level crossings, please obey the signs and be patient because it's not worth risking your life,” he said.