Thirty level crossing incidents so far in 2025

Iarnród Éireann has said there has been thirty recorded incidents of misuse of level crossings so far this year, with eleven resulting in crossing damage or injury to the crossing user.

The data was published on International Level Crossing Awareness day (ILCAD), an initiative of the International Union of Railways (UIC) of which Iarnród Éireann is a member. The theme for this year’s campaign is: “safe decisions – every time.”

Video: level crossing safety incidents on CCTV

Iarnród Éireann has partnered with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority to host information mornings at ten level crossings on ILCAD. The focus of these information sessions is to inform and educate road users about the dangers of not acting safely at level crossings. These information mornings take place at the following locations:

DART

• Sutton
• Cosh
• Bray
• Merrion Gates
• Serpentine Ave

National network

• Lisnagry, Co Limerick
• Farranfore, Co Kerry
• Athenry, Co Galway
• Sullivan’s Crossing, Co Galway
• Oranmore, Co Galway

Iarnród Éireann has also released footage of incidents at Level Crossings and have appealed for renewed vigilance at level Crossings from all road users, with particular emphasis this year on making good decisions when it comes to level crossings.

Iarnród Éireann, together with An Garda Síochána, are also planning the introduction of up to six Garda / Go Safe safety cameras to operate at railway level crossings.

The cameras will record motorists using the crossing and will automatically issue a fine of €160 in respect of speeding, or €80 in respect of breaking a red light, and are liable for three penalty points for either.  The cameras will enhance safety for rail and road users alike, including pedestrians and cyclists, by deterring risk-taking at chosen locations.

As level crossings represent a new deployment of the Garda Go Safe system, the cameras will run in test initially, with activation upon successful test completion.

The cameras are easy to relocate and they will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour. Where these safety cameras have been deployed across the roads network, driver compliance of up to 98.6% is achieved.

Year to date there have been 30 incidents at level crossings across the network, of which 11 resulted in crossing damage or injury to crossing user. The majority of level crossing incidents involve road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers, resulting in damage to the crossing/barriers.

The most frequent locations involved in incidents are:

• Serpentine Ave (five incidents)
• Sutton (three incidents)
• Bray, Claremont, Coolmine, Sandymount (two incidents at each)

At user operated level crossings, Iarnród Éireann continues to install additional train detection warning systems. These measures have now been introduced at 72 user operated level crossings, with a further 7 to be commissioned in the coming months and have been well received within the communities that are served by them.

There are currently 861 level crossings on the Iarnród Éireann network. These are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated accommodation crossings.

As part of its network wide Level crossing elimination programme, Iarnród Éireann is working to eliminate as many level crossings as practicable.  The company has closed 134 crossings between 2014 and June 2025.

However, the company reminds users of the onus to use crossings responsibly:

• – At automatic crossings: stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash. Never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering.
• – At staff operated crossings: respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure your safety and that of rail users. Stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it.
• – At user operated crossings: Always stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing, and always close the gate after use for your safety and that of others.

Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year and level crossing accidents account for 1% of road deaths in Europe but 31% of all rail fatalities.  Although Ireland’s record is far stronger than the European average, and there have been no level crossing fatalities since 2010, vigilance is essential and Iarnród Éireann is reminding all road users of this on International Level Crossing Safety Awareness day.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said: “I welcome the forthcoming roll out of Go Safe cameras at our level crossings. Driver Behaviour is becoming more and more problematic at level crossings and I believe these measures will result in improved safety for all, protecting rail and road users alike.”