To encourage travellers to slow down and travel safely, the UK’s largest train operator has partnered with award-winning comedian Diane Morgan to release its first-ever train safety film, Travel Safe with Diane Morgan.
The video explores the inner dialogue most people have when trying to catch a train, including rushing through the station, which can often persuade them to risk their own safety to save time, energy or effort. Almost one third (31%) of UK passengers say their “inner voice” often tempts them to take risks at stations, leading them to run for trains, jump through closing doors, and take bulky luggage on escalators.
To combat the 800 preventable injuries taking place across its network each year, GTR is using a familiar face to draw attention to the problem. Diane Morgan – known for her signature dry wit – stars as the face of the rail operator’s first-ever safety film to deliver a simple message: risky behaviour has negative consequences, so think twice before you chance it for a train.
The safety film shows Diane on the verge of committing common station safety no-nos, from sprinting down the platform to forcing the closing doors, before being hilariously interrupted. The video shines an honest light on the relatable choices the nation can make when taking the train.
Speaking about the campaign, Diane Morgan says: “As has been well publicised, I have always been a strong advocate for rail safety. Unlike some of my comedy contemporaries, who would love to see passengers fall down stairs or get their head trapped in the closing doors, I have always made it quite clear that rail safety is my number one priority. These short films are the culmination of my life’s work. Enjoy them.”
The new research from GTR highlights people’s lack of awareness when it comes to dangerous behaviour at train stations, with travellers admitting that they didn’t realise running for a train (32%) or taking heavy luggage or buggies on the escalator (27%) would be unsafe or have implications.
There is also a clear disparity between doing these behaviours at a station and admitting to them. One in four (25%) train travellers say they have seen someone get caught in the closing doors of a train, despite just 1 in 20 (7%) admitting to it. Not only this, but train travellers have strong views towards others doing these behaviours, with over three-quarters (79%) saying that getting stuck in train doors is embarrassing, and half of us (47%) saying that about running for a train.
Samantha Facey, Health, Safety and Security Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “Most injuries we see from these behaviours are preventable and we’re committed to helping our customers travel safely. We know that people are busy, journeys can be rushed, and some of these habits are so ingrained that they stop feeling like risks at all.
“That’s exactly why we needed a different approach, and working with Diane gave us something powerful – a chance to make people laugh at behaviour they might recognise in themselves, and in doing so, genuinely think twice. We want customers to pause, take their time, and travel safely, and I hope this film is a step towards that. If you’ve ever sprinted for a train, wrestled luggage onto an escalator, or tested a closing door, watch the film. It might just change your mind.”
GTR’s first-ever rail safety film can be viewed from today (Monday 23 March). Travellers are encouraged to allow extra time for journeys, avoid rushing, and prioritise safety the next time they catch a train.
Image credit: Amit Lennon/GTR