Stop risking life on track

The incidents, which involved graffiti and scratching of train windscreens, were among more than 2,100 illegal incidents recorded on the Sydney Trains network over the past 12 months and highlighted during the 14th annual Rail Safety Week.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Howard Collins said that while the number of trespassing incidents had reduced by almost a third in the past five years, more than 2,100 incidents “is still significant and of concern”.
“It might sound obvious, but trains, like any vehicle, are dangerous machines, and it is very important to be cautious when on our network,” Mr Collins said.
“The best way to stay safe is to stay behind the yellow line, listen to our station staff and follow the safety rules.”
Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, said there were no short-cuts or pranks for social media worth risking your life.
“People are playing Russian roulette with a 400-tonne train and it needs to stop,” he said.
“We have seen ludicrous cases of young people cutting across tracks with seconds to spare or buffer riding on trains, seemingly unaware of the grave danger they are putting themselves, and others, in.
“People need to know trains travel at speeds of more than 100km/h, they take a significant distance to stop and give little to no warning of their approach.”
Executive director for the TrackSAFE Foundation, Naomi Frauenfelder said rail safety was a year-round commitment.
“It cannot be stated enough; rail safety is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.
Offenders caught trespassing face a maximum penalty of $5,500.