“Some things are worth waiting for” was released as a television advertisement this April, showing a driver approaching a level crossing as the wigwags start flashing. The driver is shown as hesitant to slow down, however what comes along the track is not the physical train that one expects. What he sees are all of his happiest memories in life in a succession, giving him incentive to keep living. The tag line “some things are worth waiting for” implies that drivers can prolong their lives by waiting for trains.

To assist in consolidating their message, AOAs have been applied not only to a Flexity tram in complete wrap, but Pacific National’s NR16 as well. The DTEI’s AOA ads have been designed so that from a level crossing they resemble the memory train in the advertisement. The tram has been seen in regular service through the city since its wrap was applied, especially at peak times, while the NR has seen service on freight trains and Great Southern Rail’s Overland service to Melbourne.

The advertisements are expected to remain on the vehicles for the duration of the DTEI’s campaign.

RailSA

That is the message in a new level-crossing safety campaign, launched yesterday, in a $13.3 million program over four years to improve safety.

Since 2001, 33 people have been killed at rail and tram level crossings in SA. A further 71 have been seriously injured.

“This new television, radio and print campaign reminds drivers that paying attention and waiting just a few moments can save your life and the lives of your loved ones,” Road Safety Minister Tom Koutsantonis said yesterday.

“By showing special moments from a man’s life flashing before him as a train speeds past, the advertisements pose the question – what will you miss out on if you don’t stop at a level crossing?

“The ads remind drivers that by failing to stop at a level crossing they are jeopardising their chance to live magical milestones such as weddings, the birth of a child and special occasions with family and friends.”

The National Rail Level Crossing Study, prepared by Roy Morgan Research last April, found 29 per cent of South Australians had taken risks at crossings.

Almost one in five had unknowingly crossed a rail level crossing.

Mr Koutsantonis said drivers, pedestrians and cyclists at level crossings never should queue over the crossing or try to out-run a train or evade closing boom gates.

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