One Person Dies Every Day at Level Crossings

The International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Federation of Highways (IRF) and the Estonian Lifeboat Enterprise (OLE) reaffirmed their commitment to stopping accidents and saving lives at level crossings.

(Paris/Geneva/Tallin, 31 May 2022) A level crossing is the interface between road and rail infrastructure. According to the "UNECE Convention on Road Traffic and Highway Code" of 1968, road users, pedestrians, in order to pass safely and to prevent accidents that may result from misuse, inappropriate behavior and potentially endanger their own lives, the lives of train passengers, personnel and other users. and trains have priority while cyclists must obey road signs and signals.

In the framework of the “UN second ten-year Action Plan for Road Safety 2021-2030”, the worldwide associations for road and rail, the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the International Federation of Roads (IRF), together with the Estonian Lifeboat Enterprise (OLE) They decided to join forces again to increase level crossing awareness among people with reduced mobility and thus contribute to the reduction of accidents and related deaths.

According to UIC estimates, there are half a million level crossings in the world, of which 100.000 are in the EU and more than 200.000 are in the USA – 20% and 40% of the total number of level crossings in the world, respectively.

In the EU and the USA, level crossing accidents and fatalities account for almost a third of all railroad cases. When incidents involving pedestrians crossing the rail are added, this number rises to 91% of all rail accidents in the EU and 95% in the USA. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the inappropriate behavior of pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users in most countries, both at level crossings and on and around railroads, resulting in an increase in crashes resulting in near misses, death and serious injury. As a result; Countries participating in the International Day of Level Crossing Awareness (ILCAD) this year, on the vulnerable people, “Stay away from the railway, do not risk your life!” focused on its motto.

Regardless of country or culture, the railway industry faces the same problems at level crossings and around the railway all over the world. The vast majority of accidents at level crossings; It comes from users who willingly take risks or accidentally make bad choices out of habit or distraction.

Therefore; On the occasion of the 9th International Level Crossing Awareness Day on 2022 June 14, the UIC, IRF and OLE jointly developed three additional safety brochures in English, French and Spanish for pedestrians, cyclists and persons with micro-mobility devices and reduced mobility.

François Davenne, Managing Director of UIC: “We've been working on this high-risk interface for years. Since 2009, the UIC has been leading the ILCAD Campaign, bringing together more than 50 countries on all continents. In 2016, the collaboration with the International Transport Association (IRU) and the Estonian Lifeboat Enterprise (OLE) resulted in the publication of Safety Tips for Professional Drivers. In December 2021, we went a step further by publishing our first joint brochures for light vehicle (car, motorcycle and scooter) drivers in collaboration with IRF and OLE. Today; With these new brochures dedicated to vulnerable users, UIC; It strengthens its cooperation with the IRF, an international organization, with the aim of improving safety at level crossings in the most effective ways.” said.

Commenting on the collaboration between UIC and IRF, Susanna Zammataro, IRF Director General, said: “On the occasion of ILCAD 2022, the IRF is delighted to renew its collaboration with UIC and OLE to reduce risks to vulnerable road users at level crossings and joint action to build safe systems that save lives. calls for it.”

Tamo Vahemets, Chairman of the Board of Estonian Lifeboat Enterprise, added: “Our daily mission is to raise public awareness of the hazards on and around railway lines. Our program; It aims to help drivers, pedestrians and cyclists make safe decisions at level crossings and around railway lines, reducing accident numbers and stopping railway tragedies”.

Did you know?

• One person dies and almost one is seriously injured every day at level crossings in recent years (source: SAFER LC project).
• About 98% of collisions at level crossings are caused by non-compliance with traffic rules.
• More than 90% of major rail accidents worldwide; 76% originate from third parties who are trespassers and 13% are level crossing users (source: UIC Safety report).