The Australian Rail Association (ARA) has responded to claims in the media from trucking industry representatives that technology could prevent Rail Level Crossing accidents, suggesting it overlooks the main problem of illegal driver behaviour around crossings.

According to the Association, train drivers regularly report illegal behaviour at level crossings by road users, especially heavy vehicle drivers including the disobeying of stop signs.

The Association is calling for national road user behavioural programs, higher fines for level crossings infringements, and more and smarter policing.

 “Now is the time to address drivers’ illegal behaviours at level crossings as a matter of urgency,” said ARA CEO Mr Bryan Nye.

In the past governments have achieved very successful behavioural change in the areas of seatbelt wearing and drink driving and the Association says Australia needs to address unsafe driver behaviours at level crossings in a similar manner including education and enforcement on a national scale.

All State Governments are currently working in partnership with the rail industry in delivering a national education and enforcement campaign to be completed by mid-2008.