There has been a significant surge in incidents at level crossings involving road users so far this year, according to Iarnród Éireann.
Year-to-date there have been 54 incidents at level crossings across the network, which is up from 31 for the same period last year. These incidents have involved cars, vans, tractors, trailers, and bicycles.
Iarnród Éireann said that some of these events have been “particularly worrying” and have been widely shared on social media.
The top 10 level crossings where incidents involving road users have taken place year-to-date are predominantly in Dublin, as well as one in county Cork.
There are currently 909 level crossings on the Iarnród Éireann network. These are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossing and unmanned user operated accommodation crossings, including on farmlands.
Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year and level crossing accidents account for one per cent of road deaths in Europe, but 31 per cent of all rail fatalities.
While there hasn’t been a level crossing fatality here in Ireland since 2010, Iarnród Éireann has appealed for renewed vigilance at level crossings from all road users.
Its chief executive Jim Meade said: “The number of incidents at level crossings is still too high. In recent months, we have had a number of very worrying collisions at level crossings and we would appeal to all road users to obey the rules of the roads at level crossings. They are for everyone’s safety.”
