Railway Level Crossing Safety Bulletin

Since 1970 fatalities resulting from accidents between road vehicles and trains at level crossings have reduced by about 70 per cent. However, recently there has been an increasing number of accidents involving heavy road vehicles.

Between April 2006 and December 2007 the ATSB investigated 12 level crossing accidents. Of these 12 accidents, nine have involved heavy road vehicles, four of which have been collisions with long distance passenger trains. In addition, during the same period State authorities have investigated a further three significant accidents between heavy vehicles and passenger trains.

These accidents have cost the lives of 19 people, 13 on board the trains and six occupants of the road vehicles. In addition, over 60 people have been injured and the damage bill is estimated at well over $100 million.

Although fatalities and injuries resulting from accidents at railway level crossings are only a small proportion of the total fatalities and injuries that occur on Australian roads each year, railway level crossing accidents, particularly when they involve heavy road vehicles, have the potential to be catastrophic.

Heavy road vehicles such as road-trains and larger freight trains have become the norm in Australia for the good reason that they are an efficient way to transport goods over long distances between our metropolitan and regional centres. However, with the increased size comes an increased consequence in the event of a level crossing collision. It used to be somewhat rare to hear of a train derailing or of significant casualties on board the train as a result of a collision with a road vehicle. This is not the case today.

Some recent accidents have involved significant loss of life, the worst case being the tragic accident at Kerang when a semi-trailer collided with a Melbourne-bound passenger train on 5 June 2007. Eleven people were killed and 20 injured in this accident.

Another major collision between a B double truck and a freight train occurred at Lismore, Victoria on 25 May 2006. This accident resulted in the death of the truck driver and an estimated damage bill in excess of $30 million.

Tips to maintain your health and fitness

While flying:

* keep important medication with you in case your luggage goes missing.
* continue taking your prescribed medication.
* factor the effects of jet lag into your itinerary.
* if you have been scuba diving, don't travel in an aircraft for at least 24 hours after your final dive.

to help avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT):

* drink plenty of fluids (but avoid alcohol and caffeine)
* while seated stretch your feet and lower legs
* walk around the cabin at regular intervals.

While travelling:

* don't over exercise - especially in hot climates
* where local tap water is not safe, drink plenty of bottled water (also use this to brush your teeth) and always check the seal on the bottle
* avoid ice in cool drinks - freezing preserves germs, it does not kill them
* beware of uncooked food including salads and fruit that you cannot peel
* include 'rest time' in your travel itinerary
* wear comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen for sightseeing
* dress and behave conservatively, in accordance with local customs and sensitivities
* wear a pair of thongs when showering
* practise safe sex - HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease are widespread in many countries.

Autotouring

America's highways, byways, and backroads provide excellent opportunities for exploring our public recreational lands. Maps highlighting points of interest and scenic vistas for road trips are available for and at these sites. For detailed information on a particular site, please contact that site directly. Drive Safely.

What do we mean by Autotouring?

RecML, the recreation standard that is being developed, describes autotouring as: jeep driving, scenic driving, ATV, motorcycle touring, driving touring, road trips, scenic back roads, by-ways, motorcoach touring, bus touring, and trolley touring.

Managing Partner:

Practice Good Stewardship of our Highways and Byways:

You can help to take good care of our scenic highways and byways so that others may enjoy these scenic drives for years to come by practicing some of the following actions:

Don't Litter... take along a trash bag or other receptacle for collecting your trash so that you can deposit it in the proper trash receptacle.

Make sure that you have the correct tires on your vehicle for the type of terrain/byway you will be driving on. In other words, take your snowchains off when the are no longer needed to prevent road damage.

Don't drive an areas where vehicles are not permitted. These areas have been declared "off limits" to vehicles to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety.

Safety While AutoTouring:

* Obey the posted speedlimits
* Wear your seatbelt
* Do not drive on unauthorized trails
* Bring along extra safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cellphone or radio.

Travel Tips

TIPS Before you reach the airport

* Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.
* Call your airline or travel agent for their recommended check-in times for your departure airport.
* Talk to your children before you come to the airport and let them know that it's against the law to make threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag." Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines.

TIPS At the airport

* Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
* Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.
* Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see their shoes, but that they will get these back as well.
* You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.

Visas

Welcome to the Visa section of an official source of information about United States (U.S.) visa policy and procedures. We hope you’ll use this site to learn about different types of U.S. visas, the application process, and to better understand the requirements you need to meet in order to receive your visa.

Millions of foreign visitors travel to the U.S. each year. Others come to live here permanently. International visitors and immigrants add greatly to our nation's cultural, education and economic life. We welcome them. At the same time, we need to do everything we can to keep everyone here, safe. We believe in secure borders and open doors.

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.