We’ve partnered with British Transport Police to launch a series of hard-hitting films reminding people of the grave danger the railway can present.
The life-changing impact of trespassing
Our research finds 59% of people don’t know what the third or electric rail is and 38% believe electrocution from tracks can hurt but won’t cause serious injury. But this is far from true.
The electric rail carries 750 volts of electricity that can cause life-changing injuries. And we want to remind you of the dangers of the track – particularly during British Summer Time when railway trespass typically spike.
That’s why we’ve launched a new series of hard-hitting films called Stay off the Tracks. They’re part of our You vs Train campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers present around the railway.
The films feature first responders working with professionals from the film industry to recreate their experience when dealing with life-threatening injuries caused by coming into contact with the electric rail.
They aim to hammer home the devastating effects of electrical injuries, as told by first responders in their own words. Watch the full length films on our Youtube channel.
Nicole Lee is a burns network manager for London and the southeast at the NHS who starred in one of the films. She said: “As a burns nurse, I’ve witnessed the severe consequences of third rail injuries. The high voltage can cause profound burns, leading to long-term physical and emotional suffering.
“It’s distressing to see individuals endure injuries that could have been easily prevented by staying off the tracks. These injuries not only affect the victims but also have a lasting impact on their families and friends.”
The dangers of trespassing on the railway
We also found 41% of people believe it’s safe to walk on railway tracks if no trains are coming. A similar number also think it’s safe to pick something off the tracks as long as they don’t touch them. Meanwhile, a third of people aged 29 to 44 admit they would take a shortcut across the tracks – similar to those between 18 and 28 years old. These stark figures highlight the urgent need to educate people further on railway safety.
The railway is full of hidden dangers. These include being hit by an unexpected train, the risk of the electrified rail and of overhead power lines.
Summer-time spikes
Our hard-hitting campaign comes as the number of people straying onto the tracks is set to spike. Last year, incidents of people going on the railway rose by 20% after British Summer Time began.
On average, there are 19,000 incidents each year. They have a devastating human cost and cause 750,000 minutes of train delay worth £75m.
Anthony Boyle is a mobile operations manager at Network Rail who featured in one of the films. Anthony said: “Warmer weather and longer days shouldn’t lead to dangerous behaviour around the railway. Having witnessed the traumatic aftermath of railway accidents, I can tell you that the impact of these incidents is profound and lasting.
“It’s heartbreaking to see preventable injuries devastate lives. That is why when someone is on the track, trains must be stopped or slowed, and electricity turned off, causing delays and cancellations for thousands of passengers. We urge everyone to recognise the dangers and keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”
Adam Swallow, chief inspector at British Transport Police, said: “Our officers attend thousands of trespass incidents every year and see first-hand the traumatic and preventable consequences of stepping on the tracks.
“As police officers you never forget the scenes you are faced with, or the shattering grief of people’s families as you turn up at their door to tell them their loved one has died. Every family is one too many and I would urge people to take notice of this campaign and stay off the tracks.
“We know this campaign is hard-hitting but as we approach the summer months, it is so important that people fully understand the immense and catastrophic risks involved in trespassing on the railway.”
Anyone who witnesses trespassing on the railway is urged to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 999 in an emergency.
To learn more about safe behaviour on the railways visit: You vs Train website.
