KEY POINTS:
Ontrack is reminding people to be careful around level railway crossings this year after five people died in 23 collisions between vehicles and trains during 2007.
Acting chief executive Thomas Davis said despite the tragic incidents, the total number of collisions last year was nine lower than the 10 year average.
"Still, one collision is one too many and we would like this downward trend to continue," Mr Davis said.
A 23-year-old farmhand, his partner and their four-year-old and 16-month-old children were injured on Saturday when their car collided with a freight train at a level crossing on Upper Taumaha Road, Manutahi, South Taranaki.
Mr Davis said drivers should be prepared to stop every time they approached a level crossing and must obey the warning signs .
Last year, for the first time in 10 years, there were no public pedestrian level crossing collisions.
This year, nine level crossings around the country are planned to be upgraded with either flashing lights and bells or barrier arms.
About half of the approximately 1400 public level crossings on the rail network have electronic warnings in the form of either flashing lights and bells or barrier arms.
- NZPA
