National Level Crossing Safety Strategy ‘still ignoring evidence’: Train Lighting Advocates

A new national level crossing safety strategy has come under fire from safety advocates who say there was no proper consultation prior to its release, and that empirical evidence continues to be ignored. The Federal Government released the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2023–2032 this month as part of an ongoing commitment to reduce fatalities and injuries at level crossings. Between July 2014 and December 2022, there were 39 fatalities and 49 serious injuries caused by level crossing accidents, according to the National Level Crossing Portal. The 10-year strategy identified several objectives, which included improving public education around level crossing safety, identifying safety improvements and better data collection, and implementing a nationally coordinated approach. Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said she was optimistic the strategy would help prevent accidents at level crossings. “I would like to thank the National Level Crossing Safety Committee for their collaborative, national approach, acknowledging that delivering a safer network for Australians is a shared responsibility,” she said. “I am confident the vision set out in this 10-year strategy and the practical actions it will facilitate will help save lives across the next decade, and into the future.” However, Lara Jensen, spokeswoman for the Improve Train Lighting and Level Crossing Safety lobby group, rubbished the strategy, saying it would not be effective in improving safety. “Rail operators have done nothing in the face of clear evidence that safety can be improved, the national rail regulator has done nothing to ensure they act on the evidence, and Government ministers have not been actively engaged or taken their responsibilities seriously,” Ms Jensen said. “The last two decades have been marked by a complete failure by Government and the rail industry to improve level crossing safety.” Ms Jensen said the strategy, which was finalised in 2023, was not opened to public consultation, and only withdrawn after the lobby group made complaints. She said as a result, “limited” consultation occurred. Ms Jensen also called out the strategy’s aim to “continue to promote ongoing research” into train lighting. “The mention of yet more research raises a serious red flag for our families and supporting organisations,” she said. “We don’t need any more research, testing or trials, specifically when it comes to the effectiveness of beacon lighting on locomotives that has already been proven by the rail industry’s own research.” Ms Jensen referred to two national train lighting reports commissioned by the national rail regulator, as well coronial recommendations made by WA State Coroner Alastair Hope after the death of Ms Jensen’s brother and two friends at a level crossing near Jennacubbine in 2000. “We also know . . . that rail companies have used trials as an excuse for decades to do nothing, or propose more research despite unequivocal coroners’ recommendations for better visibility and lighting on trains dating back more than 20 years,” she said.