Mangaluru (The Hindu): Even as Southern Railway concluded observing International Level Crossing Week to create awareness among road users about level crossing etiquette here recently, incidents of vehicles crashing against boom barriers at crossing gates have reduced considerably.

As against 58 incidents of such crashes reported during 2016, only 10 incidents were reported between January and May this year in Palakkad Division of Southern Railway. A majority of crash incidents reported in 2016 were during January and May, said a press release here.

The reduced number of incidents indicates that road users have become aware of the do’s and don’ts, it added.

Incidentally, Mangaluru stands top among places with the most vulnerable level crossings reporting crashes. Level Crossing Numbers 293 and 293A at Netravathi (Mahakalipadpu) had been hit nine times in 2016 by goods vehicles, while there were only two such incidents between January and May this year. Drivers of private vehicles in general have shown more alertness while crossing railway gates with very few incidents of cars or two-wheelers hitting boom barriers. Trucks, pick-up vans and autorickshaws frequently rammed boom barriers thereby causing damage to Railway property and disrupting rail as well as road traffic, the release said.

It noted that the primary aim of observing International Level Crossing Week was to spread awareness on safety at level crossing gates among road users and the local public, so that they show alertness and caution while crossing railway gates. Besides educating the public through road shows, meetings, pamphlets and open skits, spot-on classes have been conducted for students of all schools located near the railway tracks.

Palakkad Division has 153 Level Crossings, of which 147 are manned and the remaining unmanned are in the Palakkad-Pollachi section. As per Union government policy, road overbridges would be built in lieu of 31 level crossings and sub-ways would be built in lieu of 15 level crossings in the initial stage.