The AA is using National Rail Safety Week (23-29 August) to highlight dangers for motorists at rail level crossings.

Blenheim’s Main Street Roundabout is a particularly complicated junction of five roads with a railway line running through the middle, in effect creating two level crossings.

AA District Manager Kelston Swete says most motorists treat the site with appropriate care, but AA Councillors regularly hear about near misses at the roundabout and are becoming increasingly concerned about reports of motorists running the railway crossing’s red flashing lights and bells as the barrier arms come down.

The AA believes the incidents are more often drivers who don’t want to wait for the train, rather than people who don’t notice the alarms early enough.

Risky behaviour at level crossings is reported and followed up by the Police with fines ranging from $150 to $20,000 depending on the offence.

But more importantly, ignoring level crossing signals puts yourself and your passengers, other road users and also train drivers and passengers in danger, says Mr Swete.

“By the time the barrier arms have come down, the red flashing lights and bells have given motorists plenty of time to stop.

“There’s no place for impatience, bad judgements or mistakes because trains can’t stop quickly. If you get stuck on the lines, a train driver is unlikely to be able to avoid hitting you.

There are also other challenging railway crossings in the district, says Mr Swete.

In New Zealand, main roads and railway lines are often next to each other and so there is limited space between the two for traffic coming on and off side roads.

“When the main road and railway line are close together, traffic using side roads have to pay attention to both the railway crossing and the intersection with the main road in quick succession, if not at the same time.

“Complacency, inattention or haste at railway crossings can have a lifetime of consequences, so please always be responsible and cautious,” says Mr Swete.

For more information contact

Kelston Swete
Marlborough District Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. 03 578 3367

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.

“Remind yourself to be cautious and pay extra attention whenever you’re approaching the Main Street Roundabout. It’s a busy area that needs your full attention. A bad decision or lapse of concentration could be catastrophic.”

In the longer term, as soon as funding criteria is met, the AA would like to see changes to the road design and possibly a bypass to make the roundabout safer, particularly for drivers who are unfamiliar with the area.