2021 Rail Safety Week

A moment of distraction can change your life forever.

STAND BACK. LOOK UP. STAY RAIL SAFE.

Rail Safety Week, 9-15 August 2021 reminds Australians to ‘Stay Rail Safe’ every day, as it shines the spotlight on encouraging commuters to be more aware and alert around rail tracks at all times.

Featuring in TrackSAFE’s new Rail Safety campaign, Rail Safety Ambassador and Paralympian Vanessa Low shares her own lived experience as a rail accident survivor, knowing first-hand the importance of safety around rail. When Vanessa was 15 years of age she lost both of her legs when she fell from an overcrowded platform and into the path of an oncoming train.

At the time, Vanessa Low says she was not quite aware of the dangers that come with just being present in the rail environment. “Regardless of how busy we are, what matters is being aware and present in our day to day lives. I never truly understood at the time prior to my rail accident the responsibility we all have every time we step on to that rail platform for ourselves and others around us. “I was too close to the platform edge, lost my balance and fell into the path of the oncoming train. I was in a coma for two weeks, and it took two years to learnt to walk again. Whilst I live a full and great life, I don’t want others to have to learn this hard lesson like I had to,” said Vanessa Low.

“My accident did not just impact me but also my family and friends who had to learn to adapt to my new life just as much as I did. I am urging all Australians to make sure they Stand back, Look up and always Stay Rail Safe.” The TrackSAFE Foundation Executive Director, Heather Neil says, Rail Safety Week is an important time to remind the community to pay attention in the rail environment to stay safe because a person is killed or injured on the Australian rail network every 2.5 days. “A moment of distraction can change your life and unsafe actions also affect a train or tram driver and other rail worker’s lives forever. “

This is Rail Safety Week’s 16th year, with the TrackSAFE Foundation launching a national advertising campaign to featuring Rail Safety Ambassador, Vanessa Low to educate the community of this important safety message. Each year there are on average 109 fatalities on the Australian rail network, with 76 of these people taking their own life. As well, there are almost as many attempted suicides as suicides annually, around 30 injuries at level crossings or because of trespass and around 2,000 level crossing and trespass near hits.

Rail Safety Week runs from Monday 9 August 2021 until Friday 15 August 2021.

For more information and to access Rail Safety Week resources visit https://tracksafefoundation.com.au/event/rail-safety-week/

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