Caution urged as rail crossing incidents rise
A private freight rail operator is urging the public to exercise extreme caution when using railway-level crossings.
According to a report by the Railway Safety Regulator, there was a 4% increase in level-crossing incidents between 2020 and 2022.
Eight people were killed and 47 others suffered various injuries.
"Sadly we seem to be losing more children being injured in level crossings as compared to drivers or adults," says Traxtion compliance manager Thando Makoyi.
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He says in most cases, it was found that people ignored level-crossing warnings.
Makoyi says when a high-speed train approaches no one should take a chance.
"Motorists especially looking at a train being too far or travelling at a very slow speed, it is lack of education and not giving respect to the train on the level crossing which has right of way."
The operator marked International Level Crossing Awareness Day in the Northern Cape on Thursday.
