R AILWAY S AFETY Curriculum links and teaching notes E2-L1 Functional English and ESOL – discussion. Can also be used as a reading comprehension tool. October Kindly contributed by Meera Popat, Millgate Lodge Specialist Learning Centre. Search for Meera on Please refer to the download page for this resource on skillsworkshop for detailed curriculum links and related resources. October Kindly contributed by Meera Popat, Millgate Lodge Specialist Learning Centre. Search for Meera on Please refer to the download page for this resource on skillsworkshop for detailed curriculum links and related resources.

RAILWAY SAFETY

THE RAILWAY The railway is a vital part of Britain’s transport infrastructure. Trains are used by millions of children and young people for travelling to school and for leisure.

DID YOU KNOW? Travelling by train is  3 times safer than making the same journey by bus or coach.  20 times safer than making the same journey by car.  100 times safer than travelling by motor cycle.

DANGERS  Trains can not stop quickly  Trains can travel at 125 mph and take the length of 20 football pitches to stop.  If you are in the way, the train won’t stop - the driver will not see you until it’s too late!  Up to 60 people are killed on the railway every year by crossing the tracks, taking short cuts or playing chicken.

Taking a chance by misbehaving on the railway tracks can often have very unpleasant consequences for young people, their families and friends!

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE IS A SPECIAL POLICE FORCE THAT DEALS WITH ALL RAILWAY CRIME.  British Transport Police will visit the homes and schools of young children who carry out acts of railway crime.  Walking on or near the tracks without permission, except at an official crossing, is a crime. People can be fined up to £1,000.  Throwing things at trains is a crime – people can be sent to prison for life for a serious offence.  Putting things on the track that can damage or derail a train is a crime - people can be sent to prison for life for a serious offence.

Using the railway tracks as a short cut is dangerous. An express train travelling at top speed travels 2000 metres in 30 seconds. Consequences: death or serious injury!

Playing games on the railway is dangerous. Playing ‘chicken’ is especially dangerous. Consequences: Death or serious injury!

Hanging out in groups around the tracks can lead to drinking and danger – drink and railways don’t mix. The boys mentioned had been drinking. The autopsy showed they had both drunk the equivalent of more than 4 pints of lager. Consequences: Death or serious injury.

Electricity on the railways poses its own dangers. High voltage electricity at 25,000 volts passing through overhead live wires is never switched off and it can jump. The power is always there even if there are no trains running on the track at the time. Consequences: death or scarring from burns.