Life on the level

We hear of several 'railway deaths' each week. Countrywide, several deaths are reported at railway level crossings and on rail tracks on a daily basis, including some instances of suicide.

Walking on rail tracks is a very common occurrence in this country, which has an extensive 1,500 km rail network covering all major towns. Believe it or not, it is a punishable offence to walk on rail tracks. But not many know about this law and even if they do, it is freely breached by all. We have seen people even reading newspapers, seated on a chair placed on the rail tracks !

It is easy to fall prey to a train when one walks on the tracks, lost in one's own thoughts, oblivious to the surroundings. But now there is a modern distraction - the ubiquitous mobile phone. Just last week, a brother and a sister met with an untimely death on the rail track - both of them were on the phone. They had somehow heard the blaring horn of a train and jumped to the other track, only to be knocked down by another train coming from behind on that line.

These were two precious young lives. But their lives were lost because they did not pay enough attention to the surroundings. Walking on a rail track was bad enough, but they compounded it by being glued to their mobiles. It is easy to get carried away during a phone conversation and to lose track of time and surrounding sounds.

This is a lesson, a tragic one at that, for all who use mobile phones to call or text messages when they should not be using one at all. There are several instances when a mobile phone call can prove to be a deadly distraction. Crossing the street, driving a car, riding a motorcycle or bicycle, operating machinery and walking on or across rail tracks are just a few of them. Remember, it could be the last call you make, the last text message you send. It is thus best to avoid using the mobile phone when you should concentrate on the primary task at hand - driving, walking et al. There are a number of videos on YouTube and Vimeo which vividly, graphically illustrate the dangers of calling and texting while driving.

It would be ideal if our TV stations could pick up these PSAs (Public Service Announcements) and telecast them at prime time since there is no 100 percent Internet penetration in the country yet. Likewise, local PSAs could be made to portray the dangers posed by using the mobile phone on a rail track, for example. While the police can look out for drivers using mobiles at the wheel and fine them, it is difficult to effect these changes through laws alone - the public themselves should realise the dangers and stop practices which could prove to be fatal. After all, you can always call again when you are at a safe location, but you cannot take chances when your life is at stake. The old adage still holds true - better (be) safe than sorry.

However, there are steps the Government and law enforcement authorities can take to prevent these deaths and injuries. A concerted media campaign is one approach. The recent law enforcement cum media campaign on crossing roads only at Zebra crossings has proved to be surprisingly effective. A similar approach might succeed in this case as well. The law on jaywalking on rail tracks should be strictly implemented and signboards can also be erected to warn people of the dangers posed by walking on and near rail tracks, especially when using a mobile phone. Parents must be warned to keep an eye on children who may want to walk or play on rail tracks, which is not uncommon at all in our country.

The other problem we mentioned - deaths at level crossings - has to be approached from several angles. There are 1,628 level crossings in Sri Lanka, of which only around 530 are fully secure (i.e. gated - manual or automatic). Some level crossings are not gated per se, but are equipped with a 'bell and light' system which warns motorists and pedestrians at least five minutes ahead of a train's arrival. Many level crossings are unmanned and do not have any warning system in place. It is mainly at these crossings that fatal accidents take place with alarming regularity.

The best answer is the installation of gates at all unprotected level crossings. It is, therefore heartening to note that Sri Lanka Railway in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority has organised a program to set up security gates at railway level crossings soon. Seven-hundred unsafe level crossings will be provided with security gates under this program. A Samurdhi family living nearby will be appointed to maintain each rail gate. The selected families will be paid an additional allowance for proper maintenance of the security gates. This program will no doubt save hundreds of lives.

The Railways is trying another approach - the installation of large concave mirrors on either side of level crossings. This will enable motorists and pedestrians to see in advance any approaching train(s). Two level crossings have already been equipped with concave mirrors for the pilot project, which is reported to be a success.

But the last approach is the best: Not to have any level crossings at all. In many developed countries, the number of level crossings has been kept to a minimum. In other words, railways traverse roads only where is absolutely necessary. Underpasses and overpasses are built to avoid level crossings. We have already seen the benefits resulting from the flyovers at rail crossings at Ragama and Dematagoda. They prevent accidents and save time for motorists and pedestrians.

The authorities have a golden opportunity to construct the Northern railway line on the 'Build Back Better' principle - without level crossings where possible.

Regardless of all these measures, nothing can beat the most simple precaution of all - always stop at any level crossing, look for a train, check whether you can hear a horn. It will delay your journey by minutes, but prolong your life by years.