A new report commissioned by rail safety charity TrackSAFE has found that almost half of New Zealanders admit to walking on railway tracks without using a legal crossing.

Forty-five per cent of those surveyed by AK Research said they had walked on or across railway tracks without using a designated railway level crossing, which is considered trespassing. 

Crossing railway tracks anywhere other than a level crossing, where the railway and road intersect, is unsafe and illegal. Under the Railways Act 2005, the only lawful place to cross tracks is at an official crossing point. Doing so elsewhere can carry fines of up to $10,000.

TrackSAFE Foundation Manager Megan Drayton is deeply concerned by the response. “Last year alone, KiwiRail staff reported 642 trespass incidents and of those, 60 were near misses with pedestrians,” she says. “The unreported number is undoubtedly much higher.”

According to the research, those who had walked on or across the railway tracks without using a level crossing mainly did so as they thought it was quicker, or because they did not think there was an official crossing nearby. Some also mentioned they did not think it was dangerous, or that they knew of others who did it.

The new research highlights the importance of this year’s rail safety campaign, launching in Parliament today at the start of Rail Safety Week. The campaign has a clear message to the public: ‘Stay off, stay safe. Tracks are for trains.’

“Trespassing on railway property remains a persistent problem in New Zealand and worldwide,” says Ms Drayton. “Where we face our greatest challenge is not just ignorance of the law, but a deeply ingrained complacency about the risks of trains.” 

“Trains can appear at any time whether they are expected or not. They travel faster than they appear to and take much longer to stop than people realise.” 

KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy says we need to shift the narrative around rail safety to prevent tragedies.

“Every one of us has a role to play in preventing harm on our railway. Speak up when you see unsafe behaviour, model safe habits and advocate for better education, especially in communities where rail runs close to schools or homes.”

Rail Safety Week is coordinated by KiwiRail and TrackSAFE in close partnership with NZTA Waka Kotahi, NZ Police, Auckland Transport, Auckland One Rail, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Transdev Wellington, councils and supporting organisations and schools throughout New Zealand.