What’s happening?
June 5 marks International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) 2025, and local residents are being reminded to stay vigilant around level crossings. The TrackSAFE Foundation and the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) are leading the charge, urging Queenslanders — especially in regional rail hubs like Rockhampton — to always follow road rules and stay alert near rail lines.
Why it matters
Trains cannot stop quickly or swerve to avoid a crash. A moment of distraction at a level crossing can lead to devastating consequences — not only for those directly involved, but also for the rail workers and emergency responders who attend the scene. “Any death or injury on the rail network is devastating,” said Heather Neil, Executive Director of the TrackSAFE Foundation.
She added, “Fatalities, incidents and near hits can cause severe and lasting trauma to the rail employees involved, and most of these incidents can be avoided.”
Local Impact
Rockhampton’s strong freight and passenger rail presence means level crossing safety is especially crucial. With numerous crossings in urban and rural zones — many used daily by locals, tourists, truck drivers and farm vehicles — awareness efforts are timely and vital.
“Everyone must play an active role in keeping themselves and others safe around the network,” said Caroline Wilkie, CEO of the ARA. “Infrastructure upgrades and new technologies help improve safety, but we also need drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to follow the rules at crossings.”
By the Numbers
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Between 2016–2024, 28 people died and 156 were injured in vehicle collisions at railway crossings in Australia.
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A further 16 pedestrians died and 19 were injured during that same period at rail crossings.
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There were 8,313 near hits, including 4,466 with vehicles and 3,847 with people — averaging 923 per year.
These figures don’t include many more near misses that fell below the formal reporting threshold.
Zoom In
There are over 20,000 level crossings in Australia, including many across Central Queensland. About half are on public roads; the rest are on private land. In regional hubs like Rockhampton, level crossing removal or redesign remains a major public safety priority. TrackSAFE is actively pushing for improved crossing design, rule enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and funding to trial emerging safety technologies.
Zoom Out
ILCAD is a global initiative supported by the International Union of Railways (UIC), involving over 50 countries worldwide. The campaign unites rail operators and safety organisations to spread a simple, urgent message: look, listen and follow signs around level crossings.
What to look for next?
Visit www.tracksafefoundation.com.au to explore TrackSAFE’s public campaigns, download education resources, and review national fatality and incident data reports — including state-by-state breakdowns. Let’s keep Rockhampton’s crossings safe for everyone, every day.
