Don't Risk the Rails: New level crossing safety campaign launched 

A new national safety campaign launches today as part of a coordinated effort by government, regulators and industry to reduce deaths, injuries and near hits at level crossings across Australia.

The Don’t Risk the Rails campaign is the latest tool in a multi-faceted approach to improving safety at level crossings. Dozens of Australians have lost their lives in preventable collisions at level crossings over the past decade while almost 950 near hits are recorded at crossings every year.

Don’t Risk the Rails will run online, via social media, billboard and audio placements with specific messages targeting both light and heavy vehicle drivers.

The campaign reminds road users to take extra care at level crossings, and that no shortcut, distraction or moment of impatience is worth risking a collision with a train at one of more than 20,000 level crossings across the country.

The National Level Crossing Safety Committee (NLCSC) – which comprises the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, regulators and key industry bodies – undertook a review of data on incidents and near misses on and around level crossings as well as existing road safety campaigns, to identify education gaps and develop the campaign message.

Don’t Risk the Rails is the realisation of a key initiative of the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy Work Plan and was a recommendation arising from the National Level Crossing Safety Roundtable.

The Roundtable was convened after a tragic collision between a B-double truck and a fully laden freight train at a level crossing in Bindarrah, South Australia, on New Year’s Eve 2024. The crash claimed the lives of both train drivers.

Alongside complementary initiatives such as infrastructure upgrades and better coordination between road and rail managers, the investigation into the crash identified public education as a key priority for reducing incidents at level crossings.

Working in conjunction with the NLCSC, member organisations, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) combined to create this important national safety campaign.

Sally Stannard, Director-General of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Chair of the National Level Crossing Safety Committee, recognised the value of education and awareness as significant contributors to improving level crossing safety, while acknowledging the wide range of factors needed to create an inherently safe transport network.

“We know that consistent education and messaging help improve safety across the transport network. Don’t Risk the Rails takes a new approach to highlighting the known risks at level crossings, using simple messaging and relatable characters designed to capture national attention,” Ms Stannard said.

“The campaign is one part of a complex system of factors that can increase safety at the level crossing environment. Together with the National Level Crossing Safety Committee and its Industry Reference Group, all tiers of government, road and rail regulators, and peak bodies such as the ARA and ATA, we are developing and delivering a wide range of initiatives aimed at achieving the goal of Vison Zero – Zero Harm at Australia’s level crossings.”

ONRSR Chief Executive, Dr Natalie Pelham said educating road users to be more aware of the risks around level crossings is critical.

“There is no single fix for level crossing safety, but we know from research and incident investigations in Australia and overseas that a combination of initiatives, including education, is necessary,” Dr Pelham said.

“It’s vital that we keep reinforcing the importance of obeying safety signs, driving to the conditions, and taking extra care on the approaches to level crossings to keep both road and rail users safe.”

NHVR Chief Executive Officer Nicole Rosie said heavy vehicle drivers played a critical role in keeping themselves and others safe at level crossings.

"Professional drivers know that no deadline is worth risking a collision with a train. Every level crossing should be approached with caution, whether it's in the city or on a remote rural road," Ms Rosie said.

"Heavy vehicles require more time and distance to stop, and drivers must always make sure there is enough space to completely clear the tracks before crossing. Being caught queuing over a level crossing can have devastating consequences."

Chief Executive of the ATA, Mathew Munro said the issue of safety around level crossings was of national significance to the trucking industry.

“Level crossings present unique risks to Australia’s truckies who often need to traverse train lines at night and during poor weather conditions, all while being aware of changes in train timetables due to seasonal activity such as crop harvests,” Mr Munro said.

“Level crossings in regional and rural areas are more likely to have no physical barriers, such as boom gates, separating road users from heavy rail which increases the need for drivers to be hyper aware near rail lines.”

Don’t Risk the Rails will commence during the TrackSAFE Foundation’s Rail Safety Week (August 10-16) and will be in market across the country until the end of July 2027. Visit Don't Risk the Rails to see more on the campaign.

For more information about Rail Safety Week visit the TrackSAFE website.

Facts and figures

Data from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator showed an average of almost 950* near hits every year at level crossings on Australia’s heavy rail network between 2016 and 2025.

Tragically 35 people died and 149 were injured in train and vehicle collisions over the same period, while 16 deaths and 23 injuries were caused by collisions between trains and pedestrians at heavy rail level crossings.

*Does not include incidents of trespass.