HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 c645W
Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the relative safety of gated and automatic level crossings.

Mr. William Rodgers

Both types of crossing have good safety records, but there are proportionately fewer reportable accidents at automatic crossings than at gated crossings. There is no significant difference in their fatal accident rate. Based on level crossing accidents on British Railways over the years 1969 to 1977 inclusive, the chance of an accident occurring at any single crossing is as follows:

At a gated crossing

  • A reportable accident once in 24 years.
  • A fatality once in 446 years.

At an automatic crossing

  • A reportable accident once in 57 years.
  • A fatality once in 455 years.

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