Ten drivers in the north-west have been caught failing to stop at railway crossings over the weekend, prompting Tasmania Police to issue a warning.
The drivers were all detected during a targeted traffic operation across the region as part of Rail Safety Week.
Police also stopped 14 drivers for speeding and five motorists for driving while using a mobile phone.
“If you’re approaching a railway crossing, please slow down, approach with caution and obey all signs,” police said.
TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich said last week that 79 incidents of trespassing in rail corridors have been recorded this year.
68 incidents of vehicles failing to stop of give way at level crossings, mainly around the north-west, have also been seen by train drivers.
“The reported instances of level crossing failure to stop or give way by road users across the state almost doubled in the reporting period, up to 68 from 39 reports in 2022-23,” he said.
“There was also a very serious collision at Westbury in April and serious motor vehicle track obstruction at Stoney Rise in May.”
“Our train drivers rely on road users obeying road rules at level crossings, trains cannot swerve or stop instantaneously.”
Dietrich said it had been a tough six months for the rail industry, starting with two fatalities in South Australia on New Year’s Eve.
“We don’t want to head down the same track here in Tasmania,” he said.
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