On Thursday morning, Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (Trim) said it would join 50 countries to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day (Ilcad) today (Thursday).
In South Africa, Trim will partner with the Rail Safety Regulator, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, South African National Taxi Association, law enforcement authorities, and municipalities on a hot spot activation drive. The theme of the 17th Awareness Day is ‘Helping People Make Good Decisions’.
The main event, which is to take place at the Witbank main level crossing in Mpumalanga, aims to raise awareness about safety at level crossings.
“This global initiative is in line with Trim’s commitment to safety first across all its operational areas and is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers associated with level crossings and promoting safety measures to prevent accidents across the rail network,” said the infrastructure manager.
Trim also plans to host similar events across its operational regions nationally today to engage, inform and educate the public about the risks and the consequences of not obeying the rules of the railway.
It says flyers, posters and other informative material will be handed out at various level crossings, and there will be door-to-door interventions in communities and at schools near the rail network.
“Fatal accidents at level crossings are a serious cause for concern …and ongoing safety efforts and campaigns at level crossings have been ramped up to prevent more deaths and injuries,” Trim said.
