Rail level crossing statistics

Last updated on 23/05/2013 4:16 p.m. 

This page provides information about rail safety in New Zealand with a focus on level crossing collisions.

Level crossing accidents

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 
2011 10 
2012 13 2 2 4 9
The following table shows the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured at level crossings. This information is based on rail occurrence 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
2011 0 0 0 0
2012 4 0 0 2

Quarterly rail safety statistics

This quarterly report is based on rail occurence reports provided by rail operators. These reports cover a wide range of occurrences including both accidents (events that caused death, injury, or significant property damage) and incidents (events that placed, or could have placed someone or something at risk of death, injury or significant property damage). Only a relatively small number of reported occurrences result in injury. The less serious occurrences are useful for identifying potential safety issues.

Key points from the January-March 2013 quarterly report

This quarter there have been:

765 reported occurrences, resulting in

  • 5 deaths
  • 43 injuries

These include:

1 death in level crossing accidents
2 injuries in level crossing accidents

4 deaths in person on track accidents
0 injuries in person on track accidents

0 deaths in operating accidents
41 injuries in operating accidents

In the last 12 months there have been:

3039 reported occurrences, resulting in

  • 25 deaths
  • 151 injuries

These include:

5 deaths in level crossing accidents
9 injuries in level crossing accidents

19 deaths in person on track accidents
4 injuries in person on track accidents

1 death in operating accidents
138 injuries in operating accidents

Note that rail accident deaths can include suicides.

Download the latest report in PDF

Previous quarterly statements

2012

2011

2010