Near Misses and Collisions Highlight Danger at NZ Rail Crossings

New Zealand Rail Crossings: A Perilous Gamble. In New Zealand, a disturbing trend is emerging at railway crossings: drivers are routinely ignoring stop and give way signs, leading to near misses and collisions. KiwiRail's recent research reveals that a shocking 47% of motorists fail to stop at controlled crossings. This statistic is backed by alarming dashcam footage showing several close calls, including one resulting in a vehicle being struck by a train. "The findings of this research are disturbing," says KiwiRail acting chief operations officer Paul Ashton. The number of collisions at level crossings last year, while down from the previous year, remains a cause for concern. The video evidence underscores the urgent need for increased public awareness and safer driving practices around railway lines. Ignoring safety regulations is not only reckless but can have fatal consequences. The video serves as a stark reminder of the importance of caution and the potential for tragedy when drivers fail to heed warning signs. The hope is that increased awareness will lead to a decrease in incidents and improve the safety of both drivers and train passengers.