Transport for NSW and NSW Police Crack Down on Level Crossing Offences in Tamworth and Currabubula

Transport for NSW is reinforcing the importance of safety at level crossings after a joint operation with NSW Police led to multiple fines and demerit points for drivers violating level crossing rules around Tamworth and Currabubula. Between September 16 and 27, police patrolled five level crossings to promote safety and remind motorists to slow down and follow level crossing regulations.

Level crossing offences in Tamworth and Currabubula

During the operation, police recorded seven level crossing offences, 12 speeding offences, and 23 other infractions, including mobile phone use, driving unregistered vehicles, and operating without a valid license. Among the violators, a 51-year-old man received a $544 fine and three demerit points for stopping on a level crossing in Tamworth. Two additional men, one from NSW and another from Queensland, as well as a woman from the ACT, faced the same penalty for failing to stop at rail crossings, with three other drivers penalized for disregarding level crossing rules.

Ralston Fernandes, Transport for NSW Director of Road Safety Strategy and Policy, stressed that these initiatives are crucial in raising awareness about the dangers of level crossing violations. “Despite a visible police presence, some motorists continue to disobey level crossing rules, risking deadly consequences for themselves and others,” Fernandes said. “Between July 2014 and June 2024, there were 64 collisions between trains and vehicles at level crossings in NSW, tragically resulting in eight fatalities and nine serious injuries.”

Acting Superintendent Martin Searle, Commander of Traffic Operations, highlighted the risks associated with level crossings, noting that trains may require over a kilometer to come to a full stop, making split-second decisions at crossings potentially life-changing. “We urge all drivers to exercise patience and heed crossing signs, as rushing across is simply not worth the risk,” he said. “Police patrol level crossings regularly, aiming to keep motorists safe and ensure everyone returns home safely to their loved ones.”

Motorists are reminded to expect police presence around level crossings and to approach these areas with caution, as enforcement operations will continue to support road safety across regional NSW.