Safety Advice for commercial truck drivers at level crossings / rail crossings

Global freight and passenger traffic, both road and rail, have increased markedly in recent decades, thereby also increasing the risks of collisions at level crossings.

This is why IRU and UIC, two worldwide road and rail associations, together with Operation Lifesaver Estonia, have joined forces to raise awareness about level crossing safety amongst transport professionals. While the flyer does not cover every situation that may arise when commercial drivers use a level crossing, it aims to make them more aware of how to avoid risks potentially leading to a collision.

President of the IRU Commission for Road Safety, Rob Aarse, said, “For true road transport professionals, every road accident is one too many. We welcome this opportunity to work together with the UIC and Operation Lifesaver Estonia in tackling the issue of level crossing safety so that we can raise awareness among drivers of potential dangers and ultimately save lives.”

UIC Director General, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, stressed, “We’ve been working for years on this risky interface, but strengthening collaboration with road organisations such as IRU is key to improving safety at level crossings at the highest level possible.”

OLE’s CEO, Tamo Vahemets, said, “I believe that these safety guidelines developed in cooperation with UIC and IRU will help professional drivers better understand the risks related to crossing railways by providing clear instructions to cross railways safely. I hope that drivers will take such guidelines seriously and follow them as safety norms.”

Beyond raising driver awareness, this cooperation will also help the three organisations enhance knowledge and safety in the design and use of level crossings.

Also view:

Road Safety near Level Crossings / Rail Crossings