Data shows that Victoria has been home to the most rail-related fatalities in Australia over the last 22 years.

According to the TrackSafe foundation, between 2001 and 2023, there were 2,334 fatalities on the Australian heavy rail network.

This comes as Monday marks the start of Rail Safety week in Victoria, with the Allan Government focusing on the theme of ‘Pause your tunes. Look for trains’ and ‘Phone down, look up’ to increase public safety around trains.

Last year alone in Victoria there were more than 450 near misses by Metro trains and 124 on the V/Line network. Metro trains CEO Raymond O’Flaherty emphasised the need to pay attention when using the trains.

“A moment’s inattention around trains can be devastating,” he said. “Trains can approach quickly and they can take a long time to stop. Don’t take risks around trains.”

In 2023, there were over 3000 cases of trespassing on the Victorian rail network, equating to more than eight people trespassing per day. TrackSafe also reported that between 2001 and 2023, there were 61 fatalities, 104 injuries and 5,753 near hits of trespassers on the rail lines.

Trespassers can also cause significant delays to travelers on the Victorian rail network. Just a single trespasser in the City Loop can cause delays for up to 50,000 people.

Rail safety week is a public safety campaign that runs on the second week of August each year. It was started in 2007 to encourage caution be taken when using trains and came after there were multiple fatalities on rail networks in both Australia and New Zealand.

If you or anybody you know need support, please contact the following organisations:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Photo: Melbourne_Central_Station_2 by joe.bloggs76 is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.