Aurizon pleads to community - don’t be a statistic these school holidays
With school holidays around the corner, Australia’s largest rail-based transport business is urging young people not to endanger their lives by illegally entering the rail corridor.
Aurizon’s head of safety, Neil Backer said the rail corridor could be a deadly place for people who trespass.
Aurizon operates trains in all mainland states of Australia, from Queensland to Western Australia, carrying coal and iron ore, agricultural produce, industrial goods and general freight.
“Railway tracks are no place for people. Trespassing, taking shortcuts and other unsafe behaviour near railway tracks is serious and can have deadly consequences.
"When our train drivers see people on the train tracks it is extremely traumatic for them.
“A fully loaded freight train can take up to two kilometres to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. Unlike a car, freight trains can’t swerve to miss people.
“If you are on the train tracks you are playing Russian Roulette with your life.”
Aurizon is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers, reminding them:
Stay away from railway property day and night.
Only cross at designated areas — overhead footbridges, subway tunnels and pedestrian and vehicular level crossings.
Never take a short cut across the tracks.
Trains can’t swerve and trains can’t suddenly stop. Freight trains can take up to two kilometres to stop in an emergency
Be aware of overhead lines, high voltages can kill (even without touching). The electricity can jump up to a three metre radius from the power lines.
Never climb on trains.
Trespassing illegally on railway property can incur a $3,000 fine.