Media Release: LEVEL CROSSINGS ANNOUNCED FOR RED LIGHT CAMERA TRIALS AND RUMBLE STRIPS

FROM THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

DATE: Sunday, July 22, 2007

LEVEL CROSSINGS ANNOUNCED FOR RED LIGHT CAMERA TRIALS AND RUMBLE STRIPS

Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky today announced the location for the two red-light camera trials at level crossings and the first 20 crossings to receive rumble strips as part of the Bracks Government’s $33.2 million level crossing safety package.

Marking the beginning of National Rail Safety Awareness Week at Altona Train Station, Ms Kosky also talked with children about the dangers of crossing railway tracks.

Ms Kosky said the $33.2 million major level crossing safety package announced in June featured a number of measures including $11.7 million for the installation of rumble strips at 200 crossings and $1.8 million to trial compliance ‘red light’ cameras at two major level crossings - one metropolitan and one regional.

“The 12 month trial of the red light cameras will take place at Springvale Road, Nunawading and at the Midland Highway at Bagshot, north of Bendigo,” Ms Kosky said.

“It is vital that these are properly trialled to assess how well the technology would work if we were to implement red light cameras more widely at level crossings around the state.”

Ms Kosky said the initial 20 level crossings to receive rumble strips were across Victoria and had been chosen based on the criteria determined by the Level Crossing Safety Steering Committee. A further 180 crossings, still to be determined, will also receive the rumble strips which are raised road strips that physically alert motorists to upcoming level crossing signage.

“This government takes level crossing safety seriously and is implementing this package in addition to the annual program, doubling our financial commitment to level crossing safety over the next two years,” Ms Kosky said.

“In this safety package, a further $2 million will be allocated to continue the Don't risk it! advertising campaign during 2007 and 2008 to remind Victorians to be safe at level crossings.

“The Bracks Government believes that education campaigns are incredibly important in reinforcing the messages on safe behaviour around level crossings.”

As part of the wider Don’t risk it! Campaign, the Bracks Government will distribute an educational CD-ROM to be distributed to primary schools around Victoria over coming months.

“This CD-ROM is a simple but interactive way for primary school students to understand the dangers of level crossings in Victoria,” Ms Kosky said.

During National Rail Safety Awareness Week, the Don’t risk it! advertising campaign will re-run in metropolitan and regional media throughout Victoria.

Ms Kosky said work to install rumble strips at 200 level crossings and the $11.1 million of works to install Automated advance warning signs at 53 level crossings, also included in the safety package, would be completed within approximately two and a half years.

The enforcement boost, which will see penalties for level crossing infringements rising from $177 and 3 demerit points to $430 and four demerit points and a new offence being introduced for speeding to beat a train, crossing tracks when lights and bells are operating, or weaving between boomgates that are down will be introduced in to Parliament later this year.

The new offence will carry a fine of 30 penalty units ($3,304), 4 demerit points and automatic 3 month licence suspension.

The National Safety Awareness Week is coordinated by the Australian Railway Association (ARA) in collaboration with major rail operators and government authorities from all states and territories and New Zealand.

It aims to increase community awareness about rail safety and improve road user behaviour at level crossings and around railways.

Rumble Strip Locations:
1. Jeparit - Warracknabeal Rd (VicRoads Country Directory Ed 6) 26 B4

2. Avenel - Nagambie Rd 46 D7

3. Dookie - Shepparton Rd 33 C7

4. Dimboola - Rainbow Rd 26 A3

5. Stawell - Warracknabeal Rd 27 B9

6. Bendigo - St Arnaud (Wimmera Hwy) 43 F6

7. Bridgewater - Dunolly Rd 43 F5

8. Bridgewater - Dunolly Rd 43 G3

9. Daylesford - Newstead Rd 59 C4

10. Donald - Swan Hill Rd 19 E8

11. Patchewollock - Sea Lake Rd 12 D8

12. Boort - Wedderburn Rd 29 D7

13. Dumosa - Quambatook Rd 19 J7

14. Donald - Swan Hill Rd 19 G4

15. Robinvale - Sea Lake Rd 7 F7

16. Hattah - Robinvale Rd 7 E5

17. Patchewollock - Sea Lake Rd 547 R2

18. Boort - Charlton Rd 28 G6

19. Sea Lake - Swan Hill Rd 13 F9

Murray Valley Hwy 20H5