The Minister for Public Transport has introduced tougher penalties for level crossing offences. Fines for level crossing offences will increase from $177 9and 3 demerit points) to $430 (and four demerit points).

Bill Noonan, Branch Secretary said that “the tougher penalties would deter road users from doing the wrong thing at level crossings.”

“Level crossing safety is an issue that has received the Union’s attention crossing. Level crossings are where road and rail infrastructure meet. Collisions between trains and trucks or motor vehicles can result in enormous damage and loss of life. Speeding to beat trains, crossing tracks when lights and bells are operating or weaving between boom-gates are dangerous behaviours that should be punished.”

The Victorian Government has announced that drivers caught of this offence could incur a fine of 30 penalty units ($3304), four demerit and automatic three-month licence suspension.

“The economic cost associated with property loss and damage, along with the human cost can be devastating. The Branch made a written submission to the Victorian Government regarding the need to reassess the safety of Victorian level crossings in a systematic and strategic way. The Union was subsequently invited to a forum discussing how to improve safety at level crossings,” said Mr. Noonan.