ROAD users during harvest are advised to exercise caution at level crossings and while sharing the road with trucks and heavy vehicles.
During this year’s harvest, four return grain services will run per week on the Murray Basin line from Ararat to Mildura.
An Australian Rail Track Corporation spokesperson said it only took a moment to make all the difference to safety.
“When travelling through remote and regional Australia, it’s crucial to stay vigilant at railway crossings,” the spokesperson said.
Harvest trains transport grain to the Port of Geelong or Port of Melbourne for export.
Victoria Police will run Operation Harvest during the period across the Wimmera and Mallee regions to engage with motorists on safely sharing the roads with heavy vehicles.
According to Victoria Police, the presence of heavy vehicles increases to 70 per cent of the regions’ roads during harvest.
Hopetoun Acting Sergeant Nathan Hunt said sharing the roads safely would go a long way to reducing serious injuries and deaths on our roads.
“Unfortunately, we have seen heavy vehicles involved in fatal and serious injury collisions across the Wimmera and Mallee regions,” he said.
“When a truck is involved in a collision, the consequences tend to be far more catastrophic.”
Police encourage motorists in the region to familiarise themselves with the road rules and understand how to remain safe around heavy vehicles.
Safety tips include slowing down when approaching level crossings, staying aware of surroundings like signs and signals, and never trying to outrun a trains
Truck and heavy vehicle safety advice focuses on things like being aware of blind spots, keeping a safe distance, being patient and not overtaking turning trucks.
