Near miss rail incidents on the wrong track

Monday 10 August 2026

Train near misses across metropolitan Adelaide increased by four per cent in 2025-2026, with 163 incidents recorded.

Concerningly, the Gawler rail line has claimed the unenviable title of having the highest number of incidents, accounting for 44 per cent of all recorded near misses.

In the 2025-2026 period, 72 near misses were recorded across the Gawler line, up 22 per cent on 2024-2025.

While there was a small increase identified on the Belair line in the last financial year, there was a decrease of near miss incidents identified along both the Seaford and Outer Harbour lines.

Almost 35 per cent of near misses involved cyclists, while there were seven level crossing vehicle incidents. Pedestrian crossing and maze incidents increased 54 per cent on last year with 98 incidents.

Pleasingly, across the tram network, near misses have decreased by more than 30 per cent, seeing 113 incidents down from 165. High-risk locations remain in the CBD, with the North Terrace and King William Street intersection and the Adelaide Railway Station stop incident hot spots.

Train near miss incidents are most prevalent during the afternoon and evening periods, with the peak identified as between 7pm and 8pm, followed by 5pm and 6pm during the afternoon commuter peak. For trams, the peak is seen between 4pm-5pm.

The troubling statistics serve as a timely reminder for pedestrians to remain cautious and vigilant when crossing nearby to a railway station, or while traversing near a station more generally.

Pedestrians are reminded to always use a pedestrian crossing to cross the tracks or access the station platform and be alert by ensuring they are looking up from their phones and removing headphones while crossing.

It is illegal to walk or run along the tracks or cross the tracks between the platforms via the tracks.

Motorists travelling near level crossings are reminded to ensure there is sufficient space for their vehicle to cross to the other side without stopping. It is illegal to enter a level crossing if the road beyond the crossing is blocked or to stop inside the markings.

A typical passenger train weighs around 140 tonnes and can travel at speeds of up to 110km/h. If an emergency brake is activated a train at full speed needs 470 metres of track to be able to stop safely. Freight trains, which can weigh up to 10,000 tonnes, need more than one kilometre of track to stop.

If boom gates seem to be stuck down or warning signs flash for too long, do not cross. Level crossing faults can be reported to 1800 018 313, where calls are required to be made in compliance with mobile phone laws.