Railway Safety

Whether you are new driver or a seasoned one, staying safe around railway tracks is all about knowing the rules. Be sure to follow these tips—they could save your life. 

LOOK AND LISTEN FOR A TRAIN When approaching a railway crossing, slow down, look both ways and listen for trains. Turn off any music, ask passengers to be quiet and open your window to better hear approaching trains. If a train is approaching, or if railway warning signals are activated, immobilize your vehicle behind any gates or stop lines—or no closer than 5 metres from the nearest rail—and wait for the train to pass.

OBEY ALL RAILWAY SIGNS AND SIGNALS Obey all railway signs and warning devices. At railway crossings with active warning devices, remain stopped until the gates are fully raised and the lights stop flashing. Before proceeding through any railway crossing, ensure you have a clear view of the tracks and are certain no other trains are approaching from either direction, or any track. If the lights begin to flash, or the gates start to lower after you start crossing the tracks, don’t stop! It is safer to keep going than to try to reverse. 

STAY ALERT If you can’t hear or see a train coming, you can’t avoid it. Don’t use your cell phone or other devices while driving. Today’s trains are fast and extremely quiet, so if you are distracted when approaching a railway crossing, you are putting your life—and the lives of your passengers—in danger.

NEVER RACE A TRAIN Racing a train at a railway crossing could cost you your life. A train hitting a car is like a car running over a pop can: the average freight train weighs more than 5.5million kg. In comparison, a car weighs around 1,375 kg. Because of a train’s size, it is also hard to judge how far away it is or what speed it is travelling at—some can go as fast as 160 km/h. 

REMEMBER: 

• Trains can take up to 2 km to come to a complete stop. That’s the length of 18 football fields. 

• Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance of your headlights so you have a clear view of the road ahead. 

• Take extra care at night and in winter. Snowy or nighttime conditions can reduce visibility, making it hard to see passing trains or railway crossings. 

• A motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a collision with a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle.