Safety for pedestrians

A pedestrian crossing at a railway track is like any other pedestrian crossing. You must obey the safety signs as it’s the only way you will remain safe when crossing.

Unlike cars, trains can't stop quickly and they can’t swerve to avoid you. A train travelling at 100 kilometres per hour will take at least one kilometre to stop.

Also, trains can run at any time, day or night and in either direction. Where there are two tracks one train may have stopped at the station, but another one may be on its way in the opposite direction. Please do not enter the crossing until the lights have stopped flashing or the gate has opened. You may not see or hear the train travelling in the opposite direction.

You can be sure that a train is coming if the lights are flashing or if the gate is closed, so please, obey the rules and stay safe.

Stop, look, listen and think

STOP: make sure you cross railway lines at marked crossings only. Be sure to stay on the path and stay safe by looking and listening in both directions for approaching trains.

If there is a maze (chicane) always approach it cautiously. If a train is coming wait for it to pass, and then stop, look and listen again before crossing as another train may be approaching.

If red lights are flashing, please do not enter the crossing. Wait for lights to stop flashing before walking across the railway tracks.

If the swing gate is closing, never walk around it as this means an oncoming train is close to the crossing or a second train may be approaching. Wait until the swing gates fully open before walking across the railway tracks.

If the swing gate is closed, never jump fences, gates or barriers - this is extremely dangerous and it is very likely the oncoming train is close to the crossing.

LOOK: if a train is coming, please wait for it to pass and then stop, look and listen again before crossing as another train may be approaching.

LISTEN: you might not hear a train when using your earphones or phone. Sound can be deceptive, especially at night, so never assume a train is a long way off.

THINK: always obey all the warning signs. Please don’t ride bicycles, skateboards or skates across any pedestrian crossing.

For wheelchair users; prams, strollers and cyclists     

There is a gap at railway crossings for train wheels. Wheelchairs, mobility aids, prams and strollers should therefore always cross the rails at right angles to the track so that their wheels do not get trapped in this gap.

Cyclists should dismount and walk across the tracks.

Children crossing railway lines

It is important that children are taught that trains cannot stop quickly or swerve like a car to miss hitting something – and why it's so important that children always cross at marked railway crossings and obey the warning signals. But children can be forgetful so it's up to you to keep reminding everyone in your family to be careful – and not to take any risks.

For children up to ten years, please hold their hand when crossing rail lines.

Community awareness campaign

RailCorp research into community attitudes indicates that there is pedestrian complacency and high-risk behaviour at pedestrian railway crossings. This makes pedestrian safety education crucial.

A community awareness campaign has been designed to meet the following objectives:

• increase awareness of the importance of obeying rules at railway crossings
• create awareness of the dangers caused by illegally entering a railway crossing, and
• increase safe behaviours of pedestrians using railway crossings.

A community awareness campaign will run in the Illawarra region during February and March 2006. Information will be distributed at railway stations, on television and radio, in schools, and to community groups. Click here to download campaign materials.