VIDEO: Queensland Rail is launching a new level crossing safety campaign that uses music to grab the attention of road users, as part of Rail Safety Week.
In the “Heavy metal stops for no one” campaign, a metal band warns drivers and pedestrians of potential risks around level crossings.
“The campaign involves a heavy metal rock band approaching road users who are disobeying the signs and signals at a level crossing and shocking them with a heavy metal song featuring Queensland Rail’s safety messages,” state transport minister Mark Bailey said.
“Ultimately, we want to see the number of near hits at level crossings reduced to zero, and this campaign will be aiming to capture the attention of Queensland road users and encourage them to rethink their behaviour next time they’re at a level crossing.”
Over the 2017-18 financial year, there was a 3 per cent increase in the number of “near miss” incidents reported at Queensland Rail level crossings. 248 road users were reported experiencing a near miss between their vehicle or themselves and a train at Queensland Rail level crossings. Bailey said they were a result of drivers disobeying warning signs and signals.
“This is in addition to 127 incidents last financial year, when road users collided with level crossing infrastructure in place for their protection, such as boom gates,” he said.
“Our new campaign will be aiming to capture the attention of Queensland road users and drive home the message that trains are heavy metal juggernauts that travel at speed and cannot stop in a hurry for anyone.”
During Rail Safety Week, the campaign will be rolled out at train stations, road-side billboards, and across social media, and continue through Queensland Rail’s sail safety education program for school students.
The campaign will feature at Queensland Rail’s pavilion at this year’s EKKA, the state’s annual agricultural show. There will be heavy metal face painting, temporary tattoos, and a rock star karaoke competition.