West Midlands Metro is renewing its warnings to motorists who may be putting themselves and others at risk by attempting to drive onto tram tracks.
Costly vehicle repairs could be the least of drivers’ concerns if they ignore road signs and signals and encroach on the tramway. Motorists are being warned that entering the tracks is both dangerous and illegal and could lead to serious consequences.
Anthony Stanley, Metro’s Head of Operations and Safety, explained: “As well as the obvious risk of serious injury or worse, this kind of careless behaviour can result in enforcement actions and prosecution where appropriate.
“The removal of stranded vehicles can cause significant disruption to services across the network. We work closely with the police and fully investigate any incident involving collisions between our trams, other road vehicles and our infrastructure.
“Motorists also need to remember that trams have a ‘swept path’ that extends well beyond the width of the tracks. We still see drivers parking right next to them, creating avoidable hazards and delays. Parking close to the tramway is unsafe and not permitted, as it can lead to avoidable disruption or damage.”
The past few years have seen a number of successful prosecutions following incidents on the network. In one case, a motorist entered the tracks near St Chad’s tram stop and received a 22-month disqualification, a substantial fine and a community order after being convicted of drink driving.
The latest warning comes as the Metro operator continues to invest in safety and security across the expanding network, including upgrades to its advanced CCTV systems.
“Safety is always our number one priority, and we will not hesitate to report any vehicles that present a risk to our customers and colleagues, or disrupt services by blocking tracks,” Anthony said.
“Our message to motorists is clear: pay attention to your surroundings when driving near the tramway, and always follow road markings, signage and signals, to help keep everyone safe,” he added.
Further information on safety and security across the network is available on our website.