Promoting safety on Transperth network during Rail Safety Week

West Australians are being urged to think about their behaviour around railway lines as part of Rail Safety Week.

With a person killed or injured on the Australian rail network every 2.5 days, Rail Safety Week (August 9-15) aims to engage the community in safe rail practices and raise awareness about the potentially lethal consequences of being unsafe around the railway.

As part of Rail Safety Week, the Public Transport Authority is installing new signage at pedestrian crossings along the Armadale, Fremantle and Midland lines, urging people to be more patient – and safe – when crossing the tracks.

PTA spokesman David Hynes said impatience too often contributed to dangerous level crossing incidents.

“As our new signage states, boom gates and pedestrians gates are not there to frustrate you or make you late, they are there to keep you alive,” he said.

“Many of our track incursions occur because people are too impatient to wait for the booms to go up or the pedestrian gates to open, so they illegally find a way around or over them, risking their lives in the process.

“Shaving a few seconds off your travel time is not worth losing your life.”

He said it was also important for passengers waiting on the platform to remain vigilant.

“Be aware of your surroundings – stand back from the edge of the platform and pay attention to what’s happening around you,” he said.

“Too often we see people who drop their mobiles, SmartRiders or other things jump on to the tracks to retrieve them, which is extremely dangerous.

“Many don’t realise they can call Transperth staff to help them get their item back safely.”

Visit tracksafefoundation.com.au for more information on Rail Safety Week.

Media contact:  9326 2526