The railway operator has reported a 74% rise in level crossing incidents.
Irish Rail has released new footage highlighting a number of incidents at level crossings, including one case in which a tractor crashed through a level crossing’s descending barriers.
The railway operator released the footage to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) on which it appealed for renewed vigilance at level crossings from all road users.
This follows a “significant surge in incidents at level crossings” so far this year, according to Irish Rail.
It said that during this year to date, there have been 54 incidents at level crossings across the network.
There were 31 during the same period last year, which accounts for an over 74% rise.
Some of these incidents have been particularly worrying and have been widely shared on social media,” Irish Rail said in a statement.
In the footage released on Thursday (9 June), a cyclist can also be seen colliding with a level crossing gate as it descends and a car is shown getting caught underneath another barrier.
Today is International Level Crossing Awareness day.
We will be hosting Driver education days at various crossings around the country in conjunction with @gardainfo and @RSAIreland crossings #UICRail #UIC100 #ilcad
Remember always act safely at level crossings pic.twitter.com/2YV2RoDMkZ— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) June 9, 2022
There are currently 909 level crossings on the Irish Rail network, a number which has reduced from over 2,000 since the turn of the century.
This is as the railway operator is working to eliminate as many as possible, closing 69 between 2014 and 2022.
The top ten level crossings where incidents have taken place this year to date are predominantly in Dublin.
In regards to safety at level crossings, Irish Rail has urged road users to do the following:
- At automatic crossings – Stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash. Never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering.
- At staff-operated crossings – Respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure your safety and that of rail users. Stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it.
- At user-operated crossings: Always stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing and always close the gate after use for your safety and that of others.
“Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year and level crossing accidents account for 1% of road deaths in Europe but 31% of all rail fatalities,” Irish Rail said.
“Although Ireland’s record is far stronger than the European average, and there have been no level crossing fatalities since 2010, vigilance is essential and Iarnród Éireann is bringing the message of International Level Crossing Awareness Day to Irish crossing users.”
To mark ILCAD 2022, Irish Rail has partnered with An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and with several local authorities to host information days at a number of level crossings around the country.
“There really is no room for complacency when it comes to level crossings, because if you take risks at level crossings you are gambling with your life and potentially others,” RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide said.
Irish Rail Chief Executive Jim Meade added: “The number of incidents at level crossings is still too high.
“In recent months, we have had a number of very worrying collisions at level crossings and we would appeal to all road users to obey the rules of the roads at level crossings.
“They are for everyone’s safety”
Main image via Twitter/Irish Rail
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
