A new safety campaign has been launched by Sheffield’s Supertram to increase awareness for pedestrians when crossing tram tracks.
The campaign is called ‘Two Lines = Stop’ and is written on yellow boards to encourage people to look both ways at double line crossings.
Michelle Kelly, who has been a tram driver for two and a half years, explained how often people walk out without looking.
She said: “Basically every single shift, every single day, it’s all the time.”
“They’ve got the headphones on most of the time, I don’t understand why you just wouldn’t look, it makes no sense at all.”
However, she emphasised that ‘the safety team at Supertram does the best’ to address these issues.
The yellow boards are placed across Shalesmoor, University of Sheffield, Cathedral, Castle Square, Fitzalan Square and Sheffield Station.
They will eventually move to other areas like Birley Lane, Crystal Peaks, Arena and Centertainment.
Tram user Cantik Rasoki, from Sheffield, said: “It’s definitely important to be more aware, sometimes people tend to not look both ways so the campaign is a good thing.”
The yellow signs are attached to the overhead line equipment poles positioned along the tracks.
Tram user Abigail Wagstaff, from Sheffield, said: “People need to be educated, I’ve seen the boards so they can probably make a great difference.”
Kevin Tingle, who has been a tram driver for Supertram since 2003 described having ‘a close call’ when someone crossed onto the tram tracks and stopped.
He said: “I had to brake, and I was ringing the bell all the time, and it got really close to him. I was watching him thinking, what on earth is he doing?”
He said that drivers of vehicles could also be more aware, because sometimes ‘cars overtake the tram on the opposite side of the road, but do it at speed’.
Supertram has partnered with the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board to make this campaign possible.
Carl Williams, LRSSB Chief Executive, said: “This specific national campaign has been developed in response to extensive research showing that some pedestrians are not paying enough attention to their surroundings when crossing the tracks.
“Alongside helping to highlight these important messages, the LRSSB is working closely with operators and regulators to further enhance all aspects of tramway safety.”