ProRail reports a growing number of young people dying in level‑crossing accidents and is launching a national campaign to raise awareness. Between 2021 and 2025, almost one in three fatal victims was between 10 and 29 years old.
Twelve young people died in level‑crossing accidents over the past five years. In total, 37 people lost their lives in that period, so young people made up just under 33 percent. Five years earlier, the share stood at 17 percent. ProRail also recorded 155 collisions at level crossings between 2021 and 2025. These figures exclude suicide attempts and suicides.
The organisation also tracks near misses. It registered 305 near misses in 2025, compared with 173 in 2021.
ProRail says the rise stems from people ignoring barriers and red lights, and from pedestrians misjudging the speed of approaching trains. It links the trend to haste and impatience. Among young people, phone distraction often plays a major role.
The organisation is launching an awareness campaign that focuses on phone use. Under the title The Unsent Message, it aims to show young people how a brief moment of inattention can mean a final text, Snap, or message never goes out.
ProRail wants to reach young people directly, so the campaign will appear on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
@ANP | News Brainport
