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.

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?

 

[DLHM]

Wow I’m lost for words.

 

[freedy50]

I walked along that tram line taking photos......but that was last year before it opened

 

[Clancieblue]

We have gates at level crossings, the mind boggles how we can now mix these two vehicles together were there are brainless idiots about.

 

[Towing]

We have gates at level crossings, the mind boggles how we can now mix these two vehicles together were there are brainless idiots about.

When my brother and I were kids we used to watch the trains going through a crossing across the road on the corner of a road where relatives lived until we saw some near misses. There was boom gates that only went 1/2 way across the road on both sides. Cars would go between at them at angle. We saw that too many times and gave up watching. We never saw an accident but saw too many near misses.

 

[Clancieblue]

When my brother and I were kids we used to watch the trains going through a crossing across the road on the corner of a road where relatives lived until we saw some near misses. There was boom gates that only went 1/2 way across the road on both sides. Cars would go between at them at angle. We saw that too many times and gave up watching. We never saw an accident but saw too many near misses.

Yes, people will always do want they want, no matter how hard authorities try to protect them.

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

Lose a couple of toes and you won't do that again.....OUCH!

 

[Vet543]

There was boom gates that only went 1/2 way across the road on both sides. Cars would go between at them at angle. ...Qoute from above..
If anyone was to go between boom gates at an angle then they woulf have to cross on to the opposite side of the road -- ILLEGAL, SONNY BOY.
The idiots are not the designers but the twits as mentioned above... They are ruining if for everyone.
Wake up and Live longer IDIOTS.
Also we have enough cctv cams to book these idiot.
Why not hit them with a $1,000 fine or even #2,000

 

[7777]

In Melbourne we have trams that are available for transport at many suburbs. Our vehicals and bike drivers are patient and respectful when approaching a tram, making sure not to drive too close or get in the way of a tram. When the trams stop for passangers to get off the tram, drivers will carefully stop and wait, until passangers have safely made an exit from the tram and reached the footpath, and the trams close their doors and proceed. The public is always aware to stay clear along the tram tracks. The state of NSW, need more notifications through TV announcements, and education at schools, about trams and safety, warnning the public of the dangers that exists if driving too close or riding scooters or bikes too close to trams.

 

[marni]

If cars had the same braking distance they would be thought unroadworthy and taken off the road. Why can other vehicles drive faster than a safe stopping distance? The mind boggles.