2025 has seen an increase in the number of collisions between trams and other road vehicles and ahead of the busy December period, Nottingham Express Transit have launched a new safety campaign in a bid to reduce these occurrences.
Between January and October 2025 there were 205 tram emergency brake activations taken to avoid motorists, with many of these happening because drivers had run a red light. The number of collisions in 2025 has also seen a 19% increase from the previous year.
A recent study by Direct Line showed that Nottinghamshire has the eight highest number of penalties issued against red light traffic runners in 2024. The same report also said that a fifth of UK motorists have received penalty points for running a traffic light, and 19,734 drivers received penalty points for running traffic signals in 2024.
Connor Hardy, Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, at NET, said: “In my role, I see first-hand the impact of motorists thinking they can beat the tram or a red light. And, it may seem tempting to chance it, especially when you’re in a rush, but the reality is, that split-second wrong decision could have very real consequences, and on some occasions even be fatal.
“Sometimes, we know it can even be a case of a short lapse in attention that causes drivers to miss spotting an incoming tram. However, our trams weigh about 40 tonnes which means slowing down or applying an emergency brake is no mean feat. So, when driving near the tram tracks it’s worth taking a second glance, as it could really mean a second chance.
“We’re always committed to ensuring the safety of our drivers, passengers and the many motorists our trams share the road with, however, following this year’s road traffic collision figures we wanted to go even further. The trams are a big part of our city, and we all have a responsibility to look out for them, and each other. Through this campaign we hope people will think twice before rushing, and will stay alert while driving near the tram tracks.”
During 2025, RTCs have resulted in a number of damaged tram cabs and trams having to be taken out of service for repairs, leading to disrupted services. This included a temporary timetable having to be introduced in June 2025 due to a lack of available trams, many out of service because of traffic collisions.