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BTP encourage public to
do their level best in week of action at crossings
THE British Transport Police (BTP)
officers are urging the public to do their level best to stay safe when
using crossings. The call came ahead of the latest phase of Operation Look,
a week of action that began on Monday, 5 October 2015. BTP recorded more
than 3,500 offences at crossings during 2014/15, with more than 2,500
offenders identified and dealt with. While the majority of those offences
are committed by motorists, BTP officers also want to make sure pedestrians
are aware of the dangers too.
Inspector Becky Warren said:- "We have seen a drop in the number of
offences at crossings, but there are still far too many people risking their
lives. We'll be stepping up our activity during Operation Look to ensure we
speak to as many people as possible about using crossings safely. There are
crossings where people have just got into the habit of taking risks, and
that has to stop."
Officers have been handing out thousands
of leaflets during the week. They will also be visiting schools and
colleges, helping to promote Network Rail's latest level crossing safety
campaign, which is aimed at students and young people. As a result this
timely campaign was been launched to coincide with the start of the academic
year, when many young people find themselves in new Towns and Cities.
Many students will be unfamiliar with their new surroundings, and may have
never lived in an area with level crossings. Over the coming weeks, Network
Rail will be contacting colleges and universities, located close to level
crossings, reminding students how to keep themselves safe. The campaign
stresses the importance of not being distracted and staying alert at level
crossings.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre group will support the campaign at crossings and
in schools and colleges, performing a play about crossing safety as part of
the week's activities.
Darren Cottrell, head of level crossing safety at Network Rail said:-
"Though Britain has one of the best level crossing safety records in the
world, we are not complacent as still far too many near misses and incidents
occur. Reminding people about the dangers of the railway and how to stay
safe at level crossings is a vital part of our efforts to get everyone home
safe, every day. This week, we are especially focussing our efforts on
students and young people, who are the target of our new level crossing
safety campaign. The message to them is relevant for us all; stay alert and
stay safe."
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