Victoria aims level crossings safety campaign at truckies

<p>The Victorian Government began a campaign today (Tuesday, July 25) to reduce accidents involving trucks at or near railway level crossings in country areas.</p> <p>Launching the initiative, transport minister Peter Batchelor urged truck drivers to exercise extreme caution when approaching level crossings.</p> <p>&#8220Phase two of our level crossing safety campaign is aimed at heavy vehicle drivers and their interaction with level crossings in regional Victoria,&#8221 Mr Batchelor said.</p> <p>&#8220Recent incidents this year highlight the dangers for operators of heavy vehicles near railway level crossings.</p> <p>&#8220Through this campaign we want to alert drivers &#8211 in particular heavy vehicle drivers &#8211 to the best and safest behaviour around regional level crossings.</p> <p>&#8220The message to all heavy vehicle drivers is: `Don’t Risk It &#8211 slow down and be prepared to stop at level crossings’.&#8221</p> <p>The campaign will include newspaper and radio advertisements.</p> <p>The other key component of the $530,000 second phase of the Victorian level crossing safety campaign focuses on Metropolitan pedestrian railway crossings and in particular young children and their parents.</p> <p>Mr Batchelor said: &#8220The campaign was about making drivers understand that it takes about 200 metres for a suburban train to stop, and even longer for heavier freight trains.&#8221</p> <br />