Rail level crossing statistics

Last updated on 30/11/2011 11:31 a.m. 

This page provides information about rail incidents with a focus on level crossing incidents, collisions, and casualties in New Zealand.

Level crossing incidents

The table below shows the number of collisions at level crossings between trains and motor vehicles that result in death or injury. The table also shows the number of people killed or injured in those collisions. This information is derived from the Ministry's crash analysis system (CAS) which holds records of police reported information.

Historical time series of crashes and casualties for level crossing collisions (Crash Analysis System)
Year Crashes Casualties
Total Fatal Deaths Serious Minor
2000 14 3 4 7 8
2001 16 4 4 0 18
2002 14 6 6 4 7
2003 16 3 3 10 7
2004 21 7 8 7 11
2005 21 4 4 8 14
2006 7 2 2 6 1
2007 15 3 5 6 13
2008 10 1 1 5 8
2009 12 3 4 8 6
2010 

The following table shows the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured at level crossings. This information is based on rail incident reports provided by rail operators.

Numbers of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured at level crossings
Year
Pedestrian level crossing casualties
Pedal cyclist level crossing casualties
Deaths Injuries Deaths Injuries
2000 1 1 0 0
2001 1 0 0 0
2002 2 0 0 1
2003 2 1 0 1
2004 4 0 0 1
2005 3 0 0 0
2006 2 0 0 0
2007 1 0 0 0
2008 1 2 0 0
2009 0 0 0 0
2010 1 0 0 1

Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents

The Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents is based on rail incident reports provided by rail operators. These reports cover a wide range of incidents including near misses. Only a relatively small number of reported incidents result in injury. The less serious incidents and near misses are useful for identifying potential safety issues.

Key points from the July-September 2011 quarterly report

This quarter there have been:

474 reported incidents, resulting in

  • 3 deaths
  • 13 injuries

These include:

0 deaths in level crossing incidents
3 injuries in level crossing incidents
 
3 deaths in person on track incidents
0 injuries in person on track incidents
 
0 deaths in operating incidents
10 injuries in operating incidents

In the last 12 months there have been:

1554 reported incidents, resulting in

  • 11 deaths
  • 32 injuries

These include:

1 death in level crossing incidents
7 injuries in level crossing incidents
 
10 deaths in person on track incidents
1 injury in person on track incidents
 
0 deaths in operating incidents
22 injuries in operating incidents

Note that rail incident deaths can include suicides.

July-September Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 315kb)

Previous quarterly statements