Mobile phone alert system for Mearns level crossing

A new mobile phone alert system is to be rolled out at a Mearns level crossing.

The ScotRail Alliance and Network Rail is introducing the new system at high-risk level crossings, which warns people to put their phones away before crossing the line.

It will be put in place at the Back Settlement crossing in Laurencekirk, which is on a 100mph stretch of the railway.

The geofencing technology is being rolled out as figures from Network Rail show young people are more likely to have a near miss at a level crossing during the summer and are more likely to be distracted when crossing.

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, said: “Many people are aware of the issue of distraction for drivers, but it is very worrying that so many young adults admit to putting themselves at unnecessary risk by getting distracted when crossing the railway.

“We are investing more than £100 million to improve level crossing safety across Britain as part of the railway upgrade plan, but we also need everyone who uses level crossings to do their bit too.

“By paying attention to the warnings at level crossings and avoiding distractions, we can all keep ourselves out of harm’s way.”

Geofencing creates a virtual geographic boundary around an area by means of GPS technology.

It enables software to trigger a response when a mobile device enters or leaves an area.

Statistics reveal more than 70% of near misses are due to distraction.

The top three distractions at level crossings are friends, headphones and mobile phones.

A total of 29% of young adults admit to using their mobile phone while crossing the line.

Mairi Evans, MSP for Angus and Mearns, said: “I would welcome any introduction of technology which keeps people safe at level crossings.

“Even though we have some of the safest level crossings in Europe we must not be complacent when safety is concerned.”