Irish Rail has shared startling footage of pedestrians and motorists putting themselves in danger while attempting to pass through level crossings when it is not safe to do so.
The footage, shared as part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day on June 6, shows a number of people suffering injuries or causing damage to level crossings while attempting to cross as the barriers came down.
Irish Rail said it has recorded 28 incidents at rail crossings this year so far, including 12 incidents resulting in damage to the crossings or injuries to the people trying to cross them.
Irish Rail Chief Executive Jim Meade noted that the number of incidents at level crossings has dropped by 60% since the 1990s but said the number remains too high.
"The number of incidents at level crossings is still too high," Meade said.
"In recent months, we have had a number of very worrying incidents and level crossings and we would appeal to all road users to obey the rules of the roads at level crossings."
He added that level crossings are "there for everyone's safety."
Meanwhile, Garda Superintendent Thomas Murphy said people should never be in a "big enough" rush to attempt to pass through a level crossing when the warning lights are flashing.
"The warning lights indicate that it is extremely unsafe for you to proceed, and require you to stop so to avoid any risk to you or others safety," Murphy said.
The footage shared in the recent social media video includes pedestrians being struck by barriers as they come down and motorists causing damage to the rail crossings as they attempt to speed through.
In one video, a car becomes trapped on the train tracks after the barrier comes down before the vehicle reaches the other side.
Today is International Level Crossing Awareness day
We will be hosting user education days at various crossings around the country in conjunction with @gardainfo and @RSAIreland #AlwaysSafe pic.twitter.com/UH1HZIOCsm
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) June 6, 2024
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