Motorists in Wellington have been warned to abide by the rules or risk copping a hefty fine as police target risky driver behaviour at level crossings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Traffic and Highway Command police as well as police from the Orana Mid Western Police District commenced the level crossing campaign for the Central West this week, with an aim of heightening the safety awareness of drivers around level crossings.
Inspector Dan Skelly said police want to educate drivers about the dangers of disobeying road rules around level crossings.
"Since 2001 in NSW 134 collisions have occured between cars and trains resulting in deaths and horrific life long injuries to car drivers and passengers,” he said.
"It is also the case that trains can be derailed adding to the potential for further deaths and injuries."
The campaign is a joint initiative between NSW Centre for Road Safety and the NSW Police Force. The campaign has been going around the state since November 2017 and will come to an end on June 1 this year.
"Many of our crossings in the Central West do not have light sand bells, most have stop signs," Inspector Skelly said.
"Driver compliancy also plays a big part in level crossing danger.
"Our message is slow down when approaching level crossings, come to a complete stop at crossings controlled by stop signs, look both ways, and proceed with caution - all the common-sense stuff.
"Trains can't stop as fast as cars so please do not race them.
"Like the slogan says - don't be in a rus to cross to the other side."
Drivers who disobey level crossing controls can receive a fine of $439 and three demerit points.
