News - South Australian Rail News
Campaigners hail first hurdle in level crossing safety changes
South Australian Rail NewsCommunity support for improved level crossing safety secures NSW parliamentary debate after campaign from Madeline Bott.
Petition organiser Madeline Bott's fiance Ethan Hunter was killed at a level crossing near Young earlier this year.
More than 20,000 people have signed the petition — the number needed to schedule debate on the topic in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
Ms Bott said she wants the state government to implement "long overdue" safety measures.
"In particular, we're asking for lights — so train activated warning lights on all level crossings in Australia and for locomotives to have strobe lights and reflective material on them," she said.
Ms Bott said her call for change was not just for the people who lose their lives on level crossings.
"Our petition's also for our train drivers as well... they are unwilling participants in events they have absolutely no control over," she said.
"And our first responders who go to these accidents, their life changes forever."
"So even though some people say human error contributes to our accidents, we need to think about these people who don't get any say in being a part of these tragic accidents," Ms Bott said.
This article first appeared on www.abc.net.au