Pedestrians and motorists are dicing with death by illegally crossing railway lines and V/Line wants it to stop.
The warning comes on the back of the latest V/Line figures which showed there were more than 180 incidents involving trespassers, including pedestrians and motorists, on the Ballarat corridor during the past 12 months to June this year.
Chief executive James Pinder said this type of “senseless and reckless” behaviour was alarming and someone could be killed. “Trains can come from either direction at any time of day and night,” Mr Pinder said.
In one recent incident on the Bendigo line, CCTV footage showed a man deliberately unlocking the safety latch on the pedestrian crossing at Riddells Creek and coming within seconds of being struck by a freight train, Mr Pinder said.
“This pedestrian thought it was safe to cross because he had waited for the V/Line passenger train to pass but had no idea there was a freight train coming,” he said.
Across the V/Line network, there were more than 900 reported trespasser incidents for the same period – down on the previous year when there were 1115 reported cases.
“While it’s pleasing to see a reduction in the number of trespasser incidents compared with the previous year this Rail Safety Week, we are pleading with people to avoid taking risks,” Mr Pinder said.
“The railway is not a playground and at level crossings, please obey the signs.”
Mr Pinder urged the public to be on the lookout for trespassers on or near railway lines, adding that these types of incidents also had a significant impact on train drivers.
“Anyone who witnesses this illegal behaviour around rail reserves should contact police.
“We need help from communities to be our eyes and ears so if you see something, please say something,” he said.
