Nearly half of New Zealand motorists do not always stop at level crossing stop signs or prepare to stop at give way signs, a new study has found.
KiwiRail commissioned the research through engineering firm WSP and found what one operations officer described as “disturbing” motorist behaviour.
From observations of more than 3600 drivers, 47% failed to stop or prepare to stop at crossings with stop or give way signs.
Motorists were even less likely to exhibit safe behaviours if there were only give way signs. The research recommended stop signs be used instead of give way signs to improve safe driving behaviour.
Truck and trailer vehicles were almost twice as likely to comply with stop and give way signs at 66.7% compared with cars at 35.4%.
Research found the number of motorists who stopped to be significantly higher at 93.4% when additional “look for trains” signs were in place.
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The research aimed to identify low-cost improvements that could be made to signage at crossings, particularly those with a short distance between the tracks and a State Highway.
TrackSAFE manager Megan Drayton said trains and rail maintenance vehicles always had the right of way and travelled faster than they appeared to.
“Train drivers can blow the horn and put on the emergency brakes, but there is often little else they can do to stop the train in a hurry,” she said.
KiwiRail acting chief operations officer Paul Ashton said: “The findings of this research are disturbing.”
“KiwiRail urges drivers to take responsibility for the safety of everyone in their vehicles, and to follow the rules to keep themselves, other road users and KiwiRail staff safe.”
