Rail Safety Week 11-17 August - Stay off Stay Safe
Rail Safety Week: 11–17 August 2025 – Use New Safety Infrastructure and Stay Safe Around the Tracks
As Rail Safety Week approaches from 11 to 17 August 2025, TrackSAFE NZ and the Wairarapa Road Safety Council are urging all New Zealanders to prioritise safety around railway tracks—especially in light of recent upgrades to the Wairarapa rail corridor by KiwiRail. These improvements include enhanced safety infrastructure at designated level crossings, designed to better protect pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
Key Safety Messages:
- Only cross at designated railway level crossings with new safety upgrades
KiwiRail has been upgrading the Wairarapa rail corridor to improve safety with some areas still to be completed. It is essential to use these properly equipped, designated level crossing points. These crossings are specifically designed with new safety features to keep you safe. Never attempt to cross the tracks outside these official crossings.
- The rail corridor is not a public walkway
The rail corridor, including areas extending about five meters on either side of the tracks, as well as bridges, tunnels, and yards, remains off-limits to the public due to the dangers posed by fast-moving trains.
- The dangers are real and ongoing
Since 2012, 185 lives have been lost in New Zealand’s rail corridor. In the past year alone, KiwiRail recorded 642 trespassing incidents and approximately 60 near misses involving pedestrians, highlighting the critical need to respect rail safety.
- Trespassing is illegal and risky
Under the Railways Act 2005, walking on or alongside railway tracks or entering railway yards, bridges, or tunnels without permission is illegal and prosecutable.
- Stay alert at railway level crossings
Always use designated crossings, especially those with the new safety infrastructure. Look both ways before crossing and never assume it’s safe just because no train is in sight—trains can appear suddenly and travel faster than expected.
- The impact on locomotive engineers and railway staff
Collisions and near-misses cause physical harm and long-term emotional trauma to train drivers, railway staff, witnesses, and first responders. Preventing harm protects everyone involved.
Quotes from Holly Hullena, Wairarapa Road Safety Council:
“KiwiRail’s recent upgrades to the Wairarapa rail corridor provide improved safety features at level crossings, and we urge everyone to make use of this new infrastructure. It’s vital that people only cross at these designated points to keep themselves and others safe.”
“The rail corridor is not a place for shortcuts. Every incident affects not just those involved but also the train drivers and railway workers who witness these traumatic events. Using the upgraded crossings is a simple way to protect lives and wellbeing.”
Join the Campaign
Support Rail Safety Week by following TrackSAFE NZ on social media and visiting [TrackSAFE NZ’s website](https://www.tracksafenz.co.nz) for resources, stories, and campaign updates.
Monday 11th of August 2025