After several near misses, police will be cracking down on Port Kembla drivers who ignore warning lights on level crossings.
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For almost two weeks from September 21, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be monitoring traffic around the industrial level crossings at Port Kembla.
The rail lines in the port cross over the road at several locations, including Old Port Road and the intersection with Foreshore Road - both of which have warning lights but not boomgates that lower as a train approaches.
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation Tara McCarthy said these locations have been targeted due to several near misses as motorists ignore the flashing lights and drive through.
While all level crossings pose a danger for motorists and pedestrians, the weight of the trains around the port and their length add to the risk.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Acting Superintendent Ben Macfarlane said officers will be patrolling the crossings at Port Kembla later this month.
"We will be looking out for speeding and distracted drivers near these level crossings and those who disregard flashing lights and stop signs," Acting Supt Macfarlane said.
"The consequences of a car or truck hitting a train are severe so don't rush to the other side."
The Illawarra has a dark history of people ignoring level crossings, due to a combination of impatience and the prevalence of crossings in the region.
Footage from this station, as well as Bellambi and Corrimal and Dapto in the southern suburbs have been released showing pedestrians rushing in front of trains at level crossings.
Transport for NSW statistics show eight people have died in collisions between trains and cars at level crossings in NSW since July 2008.
Overall there had been 77 collisions in that period, with 13 people suffering serious injuries.
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