Bay of Plenty students have come together to raise awareness about how to stay safe on the region’s 86 railway level crossings, by always expecting the unexpected and watching out for trains.
A new video campaign created by Travel Safe and featuring students from Tauranga Primary School, Mount Maunganui Primary School, Omanu School, Mount Maunganui Intermediate, Te Kura o Matapihi, Te Puna School and Otūmoetai Intermediate, highlights the importance of using designated crossings, removing distractions like headphones and always stopping, looking, listening, and hopping off your bike, scooter or skateboard before crossing.
“Not all crossings are the same,” said ex-train driver and current KiwiRail senior cultural advisor and Chaplain Ricky Kuka.
“Some have bells, lights and gates, while others rely on signs and using your senses. But they all require your full attention. Don’t try to race a train — they are faster and quieter than you think, and they can’t stop quickly.”
In the video, students showcase how to use the different real-life crossings found across the region, including those with bells, flashing lights and gates, those that rely on your eyes and ears, fenced maze crossings, and others that are a straight walk-through.
It also includes practical safety tips for pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said rail safety education was extremely important, especially given the number of different types of crossings in the BoP.
“Every encounter with our train tracks deserves our full attention. The tragic loss of Jorja-Ray Smith in our community two years ago is a heartbreaking reminder of why rail safety education must remain a priority — for everyone who uses our roads and footpaths.”
Rail Safety Week, August 11-17, is a national initiative led by KiwiRail and TrackSAFE NZ, with support from transport partners and local councils across Aotearoa.
Held every August, it aims to reduce rail-related incidents and encourage safe behaviour around trains and tracks.
This year’s theme, “Stay Off, Stay Safe”, highlights the serious dangers of trespassing in the rail corridor and urges people to stay clear of railway lines.
Travel Safe delivers road safety education across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, with an annual focus on Rail Safety Awareness Week.
For more information, visit:www.tauranga.govt.nz/travelsafehttps://www.tracksafe.co.nz.
1 comment
Hmmm
Posted on 12-08-2025 13:20 | By Let's get real
I find it extremely disappointing that our children are used as excuses to install ever increasing levels of nonsense and governance.
Around the world (where seemingly, few decision-makers attempt to actually explore) you will see trams travelling in both directions on public roads, you can walk along a canal towpath without fences, you can travel around a city and see people crossing the road without stopping traffic, you will see cyclists using their lanes, but here, we don't trust the public to have any intelligence or to have any self-awareness.
Trains are dangerous... So are many parents.!! If you don't educate your own offspring about the environment that they live in, you are a failing them.
Nanny state is NOT what we need, but the left is bent on having everyone reliant on being told what to do AND how to do it.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.