One wrong step near this tram line—and you may not get a second chance

Some Sydney commuters are ignoring the warnings—and it’s putting lives on the line.

Split-second decisions near the Parramatta light rail are leading to near-tragedies on an almost weekly basis.

Even the tram drivers are being left shaken.


It’s been just seven months since the Parramatta light rail launched in Sydney’s west—yet in that short time, it has already recorded 11 collisions with vehicles.

Dozens more near misses have also been reported, prompting concerns from Transport for NSW about a growing trend of dangerous behaviour from motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

In one incident caught on CCTV, a delivery rider edged onto the tracks before suddenly pulling back, narrowly avoiding a speeding tram.


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CCTV shows dangerous moment on light rail. Image source: Facebook/9News


Another clip showed a scooter rider tearing through a crossing, forcing the tram driver to brake hard.

‘We’ve seen a lot of near misses, it catches people out,’ said Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins.

Collins said many road users appeared to be disregarding the weight and stopping distance of the trams.

‘While people think “I can walk in front of the tram, it’s going to stop if I trip over”, it won’t,’ he warned.


Each tram weighs around 80 tonnes—the same as two adult humpback whales.

More than half of the crashes since the line’s launch have occurred in Westmead.

Transport for NSW has now launched a review into each of the incidents and near misses to determine whether more precautions are needed.

‘Are there even greater signs, markings, lanes, we could put in to really spoon feed those pedestrians and road users to say please do not do that?’ Collins said.

He urged all road users to think twice before attempting to beat a tram across an intersection.

Watch full report below:


Source: Facebook/9News



It’s not just trams posing unexpected risks—technology on our roads isn’t always as reliable as we think.

Even clothing designed to keep people safe can sometimes have the opposite effect, especially when modern vehicles are involved.

If you’ve ever assumed high-visibility gear makes you safer near traffic, this story might surprise you.

Read more: Are your high-visibility clothes making you invisible to car sensors? Find out now!

Key Takeaways
  • There have been 11 tram and vehicle collisions since the Parramatta line opened.
  • More than half of these incidents occurred in Westmead.
  • Cyclists, drivers and pedestrians are frequently ignoring tram safety.
  • Transport for NSW is reviewing all incidents and considering additional safety measures.

One wrong move around a moving tram could change a life forever—are people underestimating the risk?
 

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