Footage of vehicles smashing into bridges has been released by Queensland Rail in a bid to encourage safer driving and prevent hours of train delays to its customers.
From January until the end of November 2023, there were 69 bridge strikes in South East Queensland, which caused almost 200 hours in delays and endless frustration for customers.
Queensland Rail Head of South East Queensland, Neil Backer, said the footage served as a reminder for drivers of vehicles, like trucks, caravans or loaded trailers, to play close attention.
“The actions of these drivers caused our customers to sit through 196 hours of delays,” he said.
“If you’re in a truck, caravan or carrying a high load, plan your route, obey the road signs and signals and know your trucking height.”
Backer said when bridges or protection beams were struck, trains were forced to stop and strategically placed specialist crews from Queensland Rail were deployed immediately to the scene.
“We’ve installed 42 bridge impact detection systems across the SEQ network, with sensors and CCTV cameras that automatically detect incidents and alert Queensland Rail for a speedy response, including remote inspections,” he said.
“When there’s a bridge strike, rail traffic is halted, and our teams carefully inspect it to ensure it’s safe for trains.
“The best result we can hope for is that no one is hurt, the damage is minimal and it’s safe to get trains moving again for our customers —but the reality is, every bridge strike is avoidable.”
Backer said every low clearance bridge was fitted with signage with many featuring extra preventative measures ranging from protection beams to height chimes.
“We’ve invested $15.5 million to install bridge protection beams on approach to 14 high priority bridges across South East Queensland to prevent over-height vehicles from hitting bridges and minimise train delays,” he said.
“Apart from causing serious risk to road users and delaying passenger trains, motorists who damage rail infrastructure can be fined up to $1238 and four demerit points and, if the matter goes to court, the maximum penalty for causing damage to rail infrastructure is 80 penalty units (approximately $12,384).
“We’ve put in our defences, but we’re pleading with drivers to do their bit too.”
If drivers are involved in, or witness a bridge strike, it should be immediately reported to Queensland Rail using the telephone number on the identification plate fixed to the bridge or by calling Emergency Network Control on 1800 079 303.
The post Queensland Rail reminder on safety around bridges appeared first on Rail Express.
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