Level Crossing to be Targeted

POLICE will be targeting dangerous driving at level crossings during a two week enforcement and awareness operation beginning next Monday in the New England area, but residents of the Upper Hunter are also reminded to adhere to the law with level crossings.

Bernard Carlon, executive direction for the Centre for Road Safety said a moment of distraction or recklessness can destroy lives.

“It’s important for drivers, riders and pedestrians to obey all signs, flashing lights, boom gates and markings,” said Mr Carlon.

“Look, listen and don’t rush to the other side of a level crossing,” he said.

“We all have a duty of care when driving, not only for ourselves, passengers and other road users, but also train passengers and crew,” Bernard Carlon said.

In Scone, people are often given an infringement notice for not waiting for boom gates to be fully open and signals ceased before crossing the rail line.

In the past two years, NSW police have issued almost 1,000 penalty notices for level crossing traffic offences.

The penalty for disobeying controls at a level crossing is three demerit points and a $448 fine.