<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> Brookfield Rail and Aurizon, key rail operators in the southern half of WA, have partnered to create a community awareness program for Rail Safety Week from 11 to 17 August, 2014. </span> <div>The program will see 18 presentations given to primary and secondary school as well as local youth groups around the state, and reflects both organisations’ ongoing commitment to rail safety.<br /><br />Across Brookfield Rail’s freight rail network there are around 70 level crossing related incidents on average each year, involving both pedestrians and vehicles hitting or narrowly missing the train.<br /><br />The majority of these are caused by inattention by both pedestrians and vehicles, the companies said in a joint statement. In addition, there are well over 160 instances of trespass and vandalism reported each year, with many more going unreported.<br /><br />Brookfield Rail chief Paul Larsen said: “Rail safety is something the entire Brookfield Rail team is passionate about and is at the centre of everything we do. Our network is amongst the safest in the world but there is no such thing as ‘too safe’. Rail Safety Week is an ideal opportunity to work with our partner Aurizon to raise awareness in the community.”<br /><br />Rail safety ambassador Jonathan Beninca will share his story as part of the event. Beninca suffered a traumatic rail incident when he was a teenager that left him in intensive care with the loss of his arm, leg and several fingers.<br /><br />“It is extremely important for people to understand the risks associated with taking a short cut across the railway or throwing rocks at trains,” Beninca said.<br /><br />“All too easily someone could make one wrong choice that will haunt them for the rest of their life. I was just 19 when I lost my right arm and leg after taking a short cut on the tracks and I believe that every student needs to understand the consequences of my actions so they don’t make the same mistake that I did.”<br /><br />Tim Fischer AC, patron of TrackSafe, which is coordinating Rail Safety Week, said  there were more than 1000 near hits on Australian railway lines every year, and pleaded with people to consider the impact a near hit has not only on the person on the track but the driver in the cabin as well.<br /><br />“In reality, these 1,000 near hits show us that 1,000 people could have ruined their own life, as well as the lives of the train driver, scene attendants, witnesses, and their family,” he said.<br /><br />“A rail accident affects more than just you and that’s the message the industry is trying to get across this Rail Safety Week.<br /><br />“Over the years, more and more rail organisations have become involved in this community education initiative by visiting schools, holding competitions, running advertising campaigns, and ultimately increasing awareness of the importance of rail safety.<br /><br />“Activities and events are being conducted all over the country to raise awareness about this important issue.”<br /><a href="http:// www.tracksafefoundation.com.au"><br />www.tracksafefoundation.com.au</a>
