Police target risky behaviour at Newcastle rail crossings in December blitz

10 December 2025

newy.com.au – Police and transport officers are stepping up enforcement at three railway level crossings in Newcastle this month in a safety crackdown on risky behaviour by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport for NSW says the joint operation with NSW Police aims to reduce crashes and near misses at level crossings by reminding people to slow down, follow the signs and signals and respect the speed and stopping limitations of trains. NSW Police is patrolling level crossings in Islington, Hamilton and Adamstown between 8 and 19 December 2025, targeting drivers and pedestrians who ignore warning devices or try to beat trains.

Luke Wilby, Senior Manager for Public Transport Safety Programs at Transport for NSW, said too many people had paid a heavy price for misjudging the speed and distance of oncoming trains.

“In the past decade, since July 2015, sadly, nine people have died and 10 were seriously injured as a result of 70 collisions between trains and road vehicles at level crossings in NSW,” Mr Wilby said. “During the same period, sadly two pedestrians died, and one pedestrian was seriously injured at level crossings across NSW.”

He said the risk was particularly high at the busy Newcastle crossings, where “more than 120 trains a day” travel at high speeds through the city. “Just because you don’t see a train at a level crossing doesn’t mean it won’t be at the level crossing in a few seconds,” he said, adding that a few seconds could be the difference between getting home safely or losing a life.

Transport for NSW data shows there were 41 recorded near hits involving pedestrians at the Hamilton level crossing in the past decade, which Mr Wilby described as deeply concerning. “I’m very concerned by the near hits we continue to see, especially those of pedestrians rushing through the closing gates at this crossing,” he said.

He reminded people that “a pedestrian crossing at a rail line is like any other pedestrian crossing” and that those on foot are among the most vulnerable road users. “Pedestrians are one of the most vulnerable road users and must obey the safety signs as it’s the only way you will remain safe when crossing. Unlike cars, trains can’t stop quickly, and they can’t swerve to avoid you,” he said.

Newcastle-Hunter Highway Patrol Inspector Thomas Barnes urged drivers to build extra time into their journeys and to approach level crossings with caution. “Unsafe behaviour at level crossings can be fatal, and no destination is worth that risk,” Inspector Barnes said. “We have several busy level crossings in Newcastle, and we urge drivers to approach them with caution and pay attention to the signs and signals.”

“If your route includes a level crossing, factor in a few extra minutes and be patient,” he said. “Trains cannot stop quickly, and some can take more than a kilometre to come to a complete halt. Even if the driver sees you, they can’t steer to avoid a collision. A split-second decision to rush through could have life-changing consequences, so take the extra time and make safety your priority.”

Transport for NSW has also released video vision from Newcastle level crossings showing behaviour such as a car stuck on the wrong side of boom gates, people forcing a gate open and others running across the tracks as a train approaches, to highlight the dangers of ignoring the rules.

Motorists who break level crossing rules face three demerit points and a $562 fine, while pedestrians who ignore warning signs and signals can receive an on-the-spot fine of $94.

Mr Wilby said the aim of the operation was to change behaviour and prevent further deaths and injuries on the rail network. “We want everyone to return home safely, but we can only do that if motorists and pedestrians behave responsibly at level crossings,” he said.

The focused enforcement and awareness campaign will continue at the Newcastle crossings through to Friday 19 December 2025.