As many schools take their half-term break, Network Rail has revealed the alarming statistic that the number of near miss incidents between pedestrians and trains on level and footpath crossings has reached a new record high.

It is reminding members of the public of the importance of acting safely around the railway, pointing out that although Britain has one of the safest rail networks in the Europe, level crossings are among the main public safety risks on the railway.

So far this year, there have been 2,981 near miss incidents involving pedestrians on level crossings, which is 31% more than the number of recorded incidents at this same point last year. Such incidents were already at a record level last year.

Network Rail has released a CCTV compilation, which includes scenes showing parents encouraging their children to loiter on footpath crossings for photographs, and others of parents distracted by their phones not paying attention to their children playing on the rail tracks.

The following guidance will help people to use level crossings safely:

• Most crossings have a sign and lights or bells that give an alert you if a train is coming. Many have gates that close when a train is approaching. If this happens, wait until the train has passed.
• When crossing tracks at a railway crossing:
  • Stop. Look both ways before crossing, listen for the train coming and for warning bells. If there are lights watch for them to flash.
  • Stand well back from the tracks if a train is passing.
  • Never try to cross the tracks if a train is approaching. It can take up to one-and-a-half miles for a train to come to a complete stop.
  • Once the train has passed, always make sure that there are no other trains coming before crossing.
  • Cross quickly, keeping children close and dogs on a lead.

More information and resources on how to use all types of level crossings safely can be found here.

The Switched On To Rail Safety website has resources for children aged 3–16 years old to learn about rail safety in an age-appropriate way.

Rob Wainwright, head of public safety at Network Rail said: “It is very worrying that so many people put their – and in some cases, their children’s – lives at risk at level crossings. We work really hard to educate people, especially school children, about the dangers present on the railway, and that is a message that needs to be reinforced day after day. I urge parents to talk to your children about rail safety and ensure that you lead by example when you are out and about.”