As new lines start to open and as a reminder for where trams have run for many years, the West Midlands Metro are launching a new safety campaign to remind passengers and the general public of basic safety tips when around the tramway.
A series of eye-catching animated videos have been released on their YouTube channel which have been produced by the Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB). These highlight the risks of crossing tram tracks while wearing headphones or standing too close to the edge of platforms at stops.
Anthony Stanley, West Midlands Metro’s QHSE, said: “Although our trams are one of the safest forms of transport, the videos and social assets offer a timely reminder of simple steps customers can take to avoid any mishaps and stay safe while using our network. When you are out and about and wearing headphones, it’s easy to get lost in the music, but when approaching tram tracks it makes sense to take them off for a few seconds so that you can be fully aware of what’s going on around you. Of course, you should also always look both ways, and the same goes if you are on the phone!”
- The videos can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@westmidlandsmetro9391/
These animation videos are brilliant!
So many times, whilst filming, I see people on their mobile phones just walk straight in front of a tram.
In Prague, there are 3 sets of coupled Tatra T3s in gory advertising, known as “killer trams” and they carry captions, when translated, that read “your brain is in your head, not in your mobile phone” and “I don’t want to kill you but I will if you don’t take care”.
On the side of the trams there is a counter that, for 2023 has, until this last week read “00”. Sadly this has gone to “01” just this week as the first recorded fatality of 2023 has happened.
It seems to be symptomatic of the new generation, not just of younger people, that they have to pay absolutely no respect to traffic of any kind and, living in Blackpool, trams are the highest on the list, closely followed by most other traffic!
Remember – your brain is in your head, not n your mobile phone!