52 accidents at level crossings: alarming balance for 2024!

52 accidents at level crossings: alarming balance for 2024!

Security at level crossings remains a central concern in Austria and Germany, where numerous measures have been taken in recent years to minimize the risks. According to the latest statistics from the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), there were a total of 52 accidents on railway crossings in 2024, which means an increase in an accident compared to the previous year. Three people lost their lives in these incidents, and 15 more suffered serious injuries. There were also 23 slightly injured. The ÖBB reports that the number of level crossings in Austria has been more than halved since 2000; From over 6,000 the number has dropped to 2,916, which illustrates the efforts to improve security.

More than 1,600 of the currently existing level crossings are technically secured and equipped with light signs and barriers. The rest of the part is only provided with stopboards and Andreas crosses. The most common causes of accidents include non -observance of traffic signs, carelessness and distraction. Local people who regularly use the transitions on their way are particularly at risk. The ÖBB urgently warns of the danger and advises: "If a vehicle is locked up between barriers, the driver should accelerate because the barriers give in."

investments and prevention measures

In order to increase safety at level crossings, ÖBB invests over 25 million euros annually in security measures, including closures and replacement solutions for highly frequented intersections. These investments are part of a more comprehensive approach to reduce the dangers of level crossings. Similar developments can also be observed in Germany. Deutsche Bahn (DB) plans to further reduce the number of rail crossings intersect for road traffic. In recent decades, the number of level crossings over 28,000 has now been reduced to 15,820 in the 1990s.

The measures include not only the closure of existing transitions, but also the construction of transfer or underpasses for cars and pedestrians. Over 70% of the level crossings of the DB have now been technically secured, which has significantly reduced the accidents at these points. Statistics show that the number of accidents at level crossings in Germany has dropped by more than 75% between 1995 and 2023. In 2023, only 154 accidents were registered nationwide.

causes of the accident and regular violations

A crucial role in the reduction of level crossing accidents plays the educational work. The DB carries out the "Safe" campaign, which should inform passengers and drivers about the dangers of level crossings. Terrifyingly, over 95% of the clashes between cars and trains are due to inattentiveness, carelessness or ignorance. The most serious incident in recent times occurred on February 11, 2023 in Hamburg, where an ICE passenger had a fatal accident. Here a truck collided with a train, and the investigation runs against the 34-year-old truck driver due to dangerous interventions in rail traffic and negligent killing.

This makes it clear that security at level crossings is very important in both Austria and Germany. With ongoing investments and comprehensive measures, one would like to further advance the decline in accidents and significantly reduce the affected risks for road users. In this context, the technical security of the transitions and the clarification of correct behaviors remains of the greatest importance in order to avoid future tragedies.