Safety survey: myths mean parents put children at risk

A new survey of parents has revealed that the majority do not teach their children about railway safety and do not understand the dangers of electrified rail lines. So as the summer holiday begins, we have launched a powerful video to highlight the severe consequences of trespassing or messing about near the railway

• Watch the video on YouTube 

The survey also reveals that two thirds of parents haven’t discussed railway safety with their children. Furthermore, a quarter of mums and dads believe myths such as being protected from electric current by rubber soled shoes or that you wouldn’t be hurt if you only touched power lines for less than two seconds. Half don't know that the electricity is on all the time.

Tragically, 69 people have been electrocuted in the last ten years after coming into contact with the overhead wires or the 'third rail'. A further 72 people have suffered injuries or trauma. Of the total, 23 were children aged 15 or under.*

Graphic images

The video mixes graphic images of people who have suffered burns while a skin biology specialist and an electrical engineer explain that the power used in overhead wires is ten-times more powerful than the electric chair and recount stories of people who have had coins melt in their pockets and their clothes set alight.

Nathan Wood was just 12 when a game involving throwing a discarded electrical wire over the side of a railway bridge resulted in him receiving an electric shock from the overhead wires. Now 25, he gives a stark warning: "When the ambulance took me to hospital, I was screaming with the pain as they had to cut off my clothes which had stuck to me. It was like hell and I thought my life was over.

"I'm still suffering now, the cold really affects me and I get a lot of pain in my foot and can’t wear regular lace-up trainers. I also have to be careful in the sun as the scarring makes me more at risk to skin cancer. I want to warn kids that if you want to be someone, achieve something in your life, don't do something stupid like I did, as it will change your life forever."

Dyan Crowther, our director of operational services, said: "Thankfully the number of people killed or hurt on the railways is coming down but every death or injury is preventable.

"Our community safety teams work tirelessly with young people across Britain to warn them of the dangers and encourage them to get involved in safer and more positive activities. However, we are concerned that many parents are very much in the dark about the dangers of trespassing or playing near the railway. Even though the majority of trespassers aren't hurt, these crimes are not harmless and can result in huge delays and costs. We hope that by getting out this stark warning we can help banish the myths about rail safety and ultimately save lives."

Survey results

Our survey also revealed:

• More than half the parents questioned don’t know that trains can be powered by electric rails
• More than four in 10 don’t know that trains can draw their power from overhead lines
• Nearly half (48%) didn’t know that the third rail power line is switched on all the time
• 14% thought that overhead power lines and the third rail only had electricity running through them when a train passes through
• Of the 68% that has not talked to their children about rail safety, nearly half said it was because they didn't live near the railway. 23% didn’t think it was important or much of a risk
• Of the 32% that had talked to their children about rail safety, more than half did so because they understood the risks. A further 8% knew of someone who had been killed or hurt on the railway

Encouragingly two thirds of the parents knew that trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence which carries penalties. Although 8% thought that under 18s couldn't be prosecuted and 2% believe that parents can’t be held responsible for their children's actions, which they can.

*Figures supplied by the Rail Safety and Standards Board.