WA Train Drivers Union Slams Draft Bill on Train Lighting

The state union for train drivers says a draft bill mandating more lights on trains is "fundamentally flawed" and would not fix motorists' behaviour at level crossings.

Last week, the WA opposition introduced draft legislation to state parliament that would require regional trains to have flashing beacons, side lighting and more reflectors, which are not required under the current national act.

The bill would have a two-year implementation period so vehicles could be retrofitted, and largely target large agricultural and mining trains.

Both WA Labor and the opposition have said they would prefer a federal law change to maintain consistent rules across Australia, but WA Nationals leader Shane Love said change from any level was overdue.

Mr Love said the move would make passive level crossings, which rely on a stop or give way sign to warn motorists rather than a boom gate or lights, safer.

There are more than 20,000 level crossings in Australia and about 80 per cent are passive, prompting a national campaign to mandate more lighting to improve train visibility.

Motorists blamed

The WA Rail, Tram and Bus Union has pushed back against the proposed bill, saying it puts the onus on train drivers, rather than road users.

Union state secretary Josh Dekuyer said train visibility was not the cause of the majority of train crashes.

"Overwhelmingly, about 75 per cent of the rail incidents occur during daylight hours," he said.

"Having the train more visible doesn't really address poor road user behaviour.

Bill 'fundamentally flawed'

Mr Dekuyer said flashing beacons could distract train drivers and cause headaches, pointing to a 2023 trial done with CBH trains.

The grain handling company committed to installing LED beacon lights on all current and future train after the "successful" trials but has yet to fully implement the changes.

CBH declined to comment.

"[The lights] had impacts on concentration, there was glare affecting them," Mr Dekuyer said.

He said flashing lights could also disrupt motorists.

"What we need to make sure is that we are not introducing a safety measure that ends up creating new safety [issues], because if that does, then the safety measure itself is fundamentally flawed," he said.

He said the union supported improving safety infrastructure at level crossings as an alternative.

Rail safety advocate Lara Jensen, whose brother and two friends were killed in a level crossing crash 26 years ago, said flashing lights were used on numerous other transport vehicles across the country.

"They're the universal symbol of a hazard … they're a lifesaving, evidence-based feature," she said.

Regional shires want change

Yesterday, 10 Midwest and Central West local governments unanimously agreed to lobby state government to urgently amend the current train lighting legislation.

The motion also called on the state to improve safety measures at 491 passive rail crossings in WA.

Coorow Shire president Guy Simms, who introduced the motion, said the changes were long overdue.

"I'm really frustrated … I don't know why we still need to be having this conversation," he said.

Mr Simms said improved train visibility was a safety issue that should not be politicised.

"We can't keep kicking it, kicking the can down the road," he said.