“I thought the train would slow down to let me through."
"Lights?  No, I don’t bother looking at them, I only stop when the barriers start coming down – I wouldn’t want to damage the car."

These are just two of the reality-stretching excuses given by people jumping lights or weaving round barriers at level crossings, as to why they flouted the law and risked lives in order to save a few seconds.

As Network Rail begins its autumn Don’t Run the Risk level crossing awareness campaign, it reveals the ten worst excuses given to its staff, and calls on motorists and pedestrians to stop passing the buck or telling tales and start obeying the rules at level crossings to prevent further injury or loss of life.

Between January and August this year, around three motorists a week narrowly avoided a potentially fatal collision with a train. Nine others have not been so lucky, with their vehicles smashing into trains. Seven people lost their lives at level crossings during this time. Tragically five more people have lost their lives in September, bringing the year’s total so far to 12.

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive commented: "The rules around level crossings are clear and simple. When the lights flash or the barriers are down, don’t cross; a train is approaching. Signs asking users to stop, look and listen or reminding you to contact the signaller before crossing are clear and must be followed. We understand that people have busy lives and waiting can be frustrating.  Our campaign asks ‘would it kill you to wait?’ because sadly we know that not waiting can result in tragedy – and there’s no excuse for that."

• 7 fatalities (5 more in September 2009. Last year 15 in total)
• 9 collisions between motor vehicles and trains (last year 20 total)
• 189 pedestrians narrowly avoided being hit by a train  (last year 280 total)
• 97 motorists narrowly avoided a collision – around 3 per week.

Ten worst excuses given to Network Rail level crossing teams by motorists and pedestrians caught breaking the rules at level crossings

   1. I thought the train would slow down to let me through
   2. I thought that the train driver was giving way to me when he sounded his horn
   3. I know when the trains run around here
   4. Lights?  No, I don’t bother looking at them, I only stop when the barriers start coming down – I wouldn’t want to damage the car.
   5. I’m glad you reminded me to look before crossing I don’t normally bother - mind you I was nearly knocked down by a train a few weeks ago.
   6. By a motorist obstructing the yellow box markings: I don’t need the likes of you to tell me about road or level crossing safety, I was a Police driving instructor for 30 years.
   7. I didn’t see the gate coming down as I approached the crossing – I was completely blinded by it.  I was driving straight into the sun and it was also reflecting very brightly off the surface of the wet road so I could hardly see anything at all.
   8. Sometimes it’s difficult to stop the horse
   9. The sat-nav told me to turn left so I just kept going
  10. I just followed the person in front of me. I didn’t look.

 Whilst these are the worst examples of people breaking the rules, Network Rail's hard hitting level crossing safety campaign 'Don’t Run the Risk' is beginning to have an impact on people’s behaviour, according to research conducted for the company by Millward Brown.

An online survey this spring found:

• Before the recent advertising campaign (November 2008-February 2009) 55% said they understood what not to do at level crossings, post the campaign this rose to 67%.
• 54% of people said that the advert had already influenced their behaviour at level crossings.
• 67% said that it would influence their behaviour at level crossings in the future.

Advertising:
Network Rail’s advertising campaign for Don’t Run the Risk, comprising television and radio commercials will run during October across Britain.