Motorists and pedestrians who take unnecessary risks when crossing train tracks face a hefty fine as well as the possibility of being seriously injured or killed, police have warned.
Victoria Police has announced a safety blitz at level crossings and at train stations across the state as part of National Rail Safety Week, which begins today.
Police, in a series of high-visibility and plain-clothed operations, will target motorists and pedestrians who cross train tracks against safety signals.
Figures released by police today show that 54 pedestrians and motorists were hit by trains between June 30 last year and July 1 this year, with 24 pedestrians killed as a result of the collisions.
Motorists who fail to stop or give way at level crossings or who unlawfully enter a level crossing after the lights have begun flashing face a $704 fine and four demerit points.
Pedestrians can be slapped with a $345 fine for crossing railway tracks while the gates are closed or when warning signals are operating.
Pedestrians can also be fined $345 for walking across train tracks at non-designated crossing points, or for crossing between platforms.
Launching the safety blitz today, Acting Superintendent Charlie Allen said people were often not aware of how fast trains were travelling and how long they took to slow down.
"An average passenger train travelling at 60km/h can take 250 metres to stop," he said.
