Gov’t Releases Shocking Footage Of Near Misses As Warning To Be Vigilant Around Light Rail

The NSW government has released terrifying footage of near misses around its light rail system this week, as part of a safety campaign to get Sydneysiders to pay attention when walking near light rails.

In a statement this week, the state government is urging pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to stay alert around light rail corridors, obey traffic signals and avoid distractions when crossing tracks.

The campaign comes after new figures revealed there were eight collisions and 127 near misses recorded across the Sydney and Parramatta light rail networks between January and the end of April this year, with Transport for NSW warning that dangerous behaviour around tracks remains stubbornly common.

The footage captures a series of close calls involving people walking across tracks while distracted by mobile phones, vehicles turning across the path of approaching trams, cyclists riding into the rail corridor and pedestrians attempting to beat oncoming services by running across the tracks.

Television news outlets shared the footage this week:

NSW Minister for Transport John Graham said the incidents highlighted just how quickly a routine journey could become a tragedy.

“These moments are hard to watch when the difference between a near miss and something much worse can be measured in centimetres and milliseconds,” said Graham.

“Light rail vehicles weigh the equivalent of 60 cars, they can’t swerve and they take time to come to a stop.”

“Every one of these close calls is avoidable and we urge people to follow the road rules, remain alert, and not distracted by your phone.”

There’s been two fatal incidents involving pedestrians on Sydney’s light rail network in the past three years, where the they attempted to cross between coupled tram carriages.

Coordinator General for Transport for NSW, Howard Collins, said the newly released footage should serve as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in preventing serious incidents.

“This footage should be a real wake-up call for people,” Collins explained.

“We want everyone to understand that safe behaviour around light rail isn’t optional. Taking an extra moment to look, listen and obey signals can prevent injury.”