Safety around trains

Explain to children how they can stay safe around trains, stations and railway tracks.

Trains are very different to cars and trucks.

Here are some facts to share with your child.

• Trains are surprisingly quiet – you may not hear them coming.
• Trains are heavy – they take a long time and distance to stop.
• Trains are fast – the average speed of a moving train is 80km/h.

These facts explain why trains have the right of way. They can’t easily stop for other people, so it’s each kid’s responsibility to stay out of the way of the train.

How to cross railway lines

Use pedestrian bridges or underpasses when available.

Proper level crossings are the only other safe and legal place to cross.

If there are two tracks, there could be two trains. In some places, trains may come from either direction on the same railway line.

At level crossings, stop, look and listen for trains:

• take your headphones off, put your phone away
• look both ways
• listen carefully – electric trains are especially quiet
• wait for lights and bells to stop
• wait for automatic gates to fully open
• walk across if there are no trains in sight.

If you have a bike or scooter, walk it across the tracks.

Keep safe at stations

At stations, stand at least 1.5m back from the platform edge. Some trains may travel through at high speed without stopping. This creates a draft that can blow you over.

Take care stepping over the gap between the platform and train.

Stay well clear of overhead wires.

Never walk along the railway tracks, over rail bridges or through tunnels.

Find more information and photos about crossings, plus links to a rail safety song and posters:

Rail safety presentation and activities (Education Portal)(external link)