Speed limits lowered at 103 level crossings to help save lives

Speeds have been reduced to a maximum of 80km/h on approach to more than 100 level crossing in country NSW to boost safety for all road users in the regions as part of the Level Crossing Speed Zone Reduction Program. 

Sally Webb, Deputy Secretary of Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW said the $1.6 million initiative was introduced to improve road safety by reducing speed limits to 80 km/h or lower at 103 level crossings across NSW. 

“Between July 2008 and June 2022, there were 92 collisions between trains and vehicles at level crossings in NSW, resulting in the deaths of 10 people,” Ms Webb said.

“We know that more than 30 per cent of crashes between vehicles and trains happen at locations where the speed limit is 100km/h or greater.

“Crashes at level crossings can be catastrophic and reducing the speed limit for motorists will improve safety for all.

“That’s why a total of 103 level crossings have now had their approach speed limits decreased to 80km/h or lower, as part of the Level Crossing Speed Zone Reduction Program.”

Ms Webb said the completion of this program in June 2023 marks a significant milestone in the commitment to improving level crossing safety in regional NSW. 

“The speed change implementation, which started in November 2020, was rolled out at level crossings actively controlled by flashing lights, or flashing lights and boom gates on high-speed roads,” Ms Webb said.

“Reducing the road speed to a maximum of 80km/h gives drivers more time to see and react to oncoming trains and helps reduce the risk of crashes between road vehicles and trains at level crossings.

“Please don’t rush to the other side. These are 500-tonne trains that can take up to 14 football fields to stop, which means that even if train drivers see you, they can’t stop.

“Please slow down, follow the signs, and never enter a level crossing if there are flashing lights, bells or boom gates activated."