The Prosecutor General’s Office has put forward a concrete plan to strengthen railway safety by asking the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Russian Railways to expand the use of cameras at railway crossings and to implement additional, practical safety measures. The proposal, reported by Kommersant, signals a renewed emphasis on preventing crossing-related accidents and protecting lives along Russia’s rail corridors.
A central part of the plan is to revise how crossings are equipped with automatic cameras and with devices designed to deter unauthorized passage. The authorities argue that broader rollout of these technologies will help monitor behavior at crossings, deter risky maneuvers, and provide timely data to investigators. In parallel, the Prosecutor General’s Office has urged that the procedures governing these safety devices be standardized so that their deployment is consistent across regions, stations, and routes. This includes updating training materials and ensuring that law enforcement and rail operators can act quickly on captured footage when violations occur. In a separate note, the office has proposed that sections of crossings featuring these devices be included in the practical portion of driving license examinations. The goal is to ensure new drivers understand how crossings with enhanced safety systems operate and the consequences of ignoring them, thereby ingraining safer habits from the outset.
Official statistics from the State Traffic Inspectorate show a worrying trend. In the first seven months of 2024, the number of accidents at railway crossings rose by 9.8 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. While some incidents involve ordinary road traffic collisions, others stem from misjudgments at crossings or from vehicles that fail to stop where required. The data highlights the critical need for stronger oversight, better driver education, and more reliable enforcement of crossing rules, especially in busy corridors where trains and road traffic interact most frequently. In short, the authorities are seeking a multi-pronged approach that combines technology, policy updates, and practical training to reduce these incidents.
The human impact of these trends is evident in recent high-profile cases. In late July, a collision at a crossing in the Volgograd region between a KamAZ truck and a passenger train resulted in the train derailing and the truck driver sustaining serious injuries. The incident shed light on the dangers posed by vehicles that misjudge stopping distances or misread signals at crossings. Dozens of passengers were affected by the derailment, with more than a hundred people reported as potential casualties, including thirty-three children. The wider community was left to grapple with the aftermath, examining how such tragedies could be prevented through a combination of robust safety technologies, stricter enforcement, and better public awareness campaigns about railway crossing risks. These events underscore why the proposed measures—expanded camera coverage, standardized safety devices, and enhanced driver preparation—are being considered with renewed seriousness.
Earlier safety incidents at crossings have also prompted scrutiny in major urban centers. In St. Petersburg, for example, a freight train recently ran off the rails, amplifying concern over the chain of safety practices that protect rail yards, tracks, and crossings. While rail operators work to strengthen the integrity of rolling stock and track infrastructure, authorities acknowledge that human factors remain a critical element. The push to integrate more automatic surveillance, enforceable devices, and exam-oriented training reflects a broader commitment to reducing harm and ensuring that both freight and passenger services operate with predictable and responsible safety standards. In sum, the current push from the Prosecutor General’s Office seeks to align policy, equipment, and education so crossings are safer for drivers, pedestrians, and railway workers alike.
As this agenda moves forward, stakeholders are expected to engage in continued dialogue about the best configurations, funding allocations, and implementation timelines. The ultimate objective remains clear: to lower the likelihood of crossing incidents, improve post-incident response, and protect the traveling public by making safety a constant consideration in everyday road and rail travel. The proposals are not merely regulatory tweaks; they are part of a comprehensive effort to embed safety into the daily rhythm of rail travel and road use, ensuring that every crossing is managed with the highest possible degree of vigilance and accountability. (Kommersant)