Page 16 - Operation Lifesaver Estonia Annual Report 2011

Railway Safety in Estonia - 14 - Annual Report 2011
The total number of railway accidents remained in 2011
at 2010 level. In total there occurred 28 railway accidents
in Estonia: 15 road vehicle – train collisions and 13
accidents involving pedestrians. There were also positive
results – the number of people injured in course of level
crossing accidents reduced significantly and there were
no fatalities. Most of the collisions took place in winter
conditions due to the inability of motor vehicle drivers to
adjust their traffic behaviour to more complicated road
and weather conditions (similarly to the year 2010). The
main reasons for accidents involving pedestrians were
the negligence of pedestrians and trespassing. This trend
indicates clearly that the current railway infrastructure is
sufficiently safe and many of the accidents occur due to
the violation of basic safety rules.
The safety level of technical railway infrastructure
has been enhanced by various continuous activities.
In 2011 were completed several projects initiated in
previous years for rebuilding and closing single level
crossings. Railway companies have also agreed to
improve significantly the visibility of existing crossings. In
cooperation between the Technical Surveillance Authority,
railway companies, local governments and the Estonian
Road Administration were closed 8 single level crossings
and 5 crossings were equipped with additional safety
equipment. Significant changes were also introduced in
the legislation in order to eliminate
reoccurring railway infrastructure
problems and improve level crossing
safety: the obligation to use LED
traffic lights and additional traffic
signs was introduced.
In 2011 were amended and unified
the rules of railway accident
notification. This is an important step
forward in ensuring railway safety, as the classification of
accidents and incidents, as well as safety indicators are
now defined clearer and in more detail. The unification
of the notification rules allows but the Technical
Surveillance Authority and the European Railway Agency
to analyse the information related to accidents better,
prepare statistics and implement preventive measures.
In 2011 was continued the renovation of passenger
platforms. The Technical Surveillance Authority issued
RAIGO UUKKIVI
Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority
Director General
In 2011 were amended and unified the rules of
railway accident notification. This is an important
step forward in ensuring railway safety, as the
classification of accidents and incidents, as well as
safety indicators are now defined clearer and in more
detail.
STATISTICS