This page provides information about rail safety in New Zealand with a focus on level crossing collisions.
Level crossing accidents
The table below shows the number of collisions at level crossings between trains and motor vehicles that result in death or injury. The table also shows the number of people killed or injured in those collisions. This information is derived from the NZ Transport Agency's crash analysis system (CAS) which holds records of police reported information.
Historical time series of crashes and casualties for level crossing collisions (Crash Analysis System)
| Year | Crashes | Casualties | |||
| Total | Fatal | Deaths | Serious | Minor | |
| 2000 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| 2001 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| 2002 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
| 2003 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 7 |
| 2004 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 11 |
| 2005 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 14 |
| 2006 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 2007 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 13 |
| 2008 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| 2009 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| 2010 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| 2011 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| 2012 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| 2013 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
| 2014 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
The following table shows the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured at level crossings. This information is based on rail occurrence reports provided by rail operators.
Numbers of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured at level crossings
| Year | Pedestrian level crossing casualties | Pedal cyclist level crossing casualties | ||
| Deaths | Injuries | Deaths | Injuries | |
| 2000 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Rail safety statistics
This six-monthly report is based on rail occurence reports provided by rail operators. These reports cover a wide range of occurrences including both accidents (events that caused death, injury, or significant property damage) and incidents (events that placed, or could have placed someone or something at risk of death, injury or significant property damage). Only a relatively small number of reported occurrences result in injury. The less serious occurrences are useful for identifying potential safety issues.
Key points from the July-DecemberJanuary-June 2015 report
In the six months 1 July-31 DecemberJanuary-30 June 2015 there have been:
20501774 reported occurrences, resulting in
- 10
5deaths - 54
42injuries
These include:
2 deaths1 death in level crossing accidents
52 injuries in level crossing accidents
84 deaths in person on track accidents
0 injuries1 injury in person on track accidents
0 deaths in operating and other accidents
4939 injuries in operating and other accidents
In the 12 months 1 January 2015-31 DecemberJuly 2014-30 June 2015 there have been:
38683463 reported occurrences, resulting in
- 16
9deaths - 99
93injuries
These include:
32 deaths in level crossing accidents
78 injuries in level crossing accidents
127 deaths in person on track accidents
1 injury3 injuries in person on track accidents
1 death0 deaths in operating and other accidents
9182 injuries in operating and other accidents
Note that rail accident deaths can include suicides.
Download the latest report
Excel spreadsheet
- July to December 2015 rail safety statistics (spreadsheet)
January to June 2015 rail safety statistics
Previous reports
2015
- January to June 2015 rail safety statistics
- January to June 2015 rail safety statistics (spreadsheet)
2014
- July to December 2014 rail safety statistics
- July to December 2014 rail safety statistics
- January to June 2014 rail safety statistics
- January to June 2014 rail safety statistics
2013
- July to December 2013 rail safety statistics
- April to June 2013 quarterly rail safety statistics (PDF, 148kb)
- January-March 2013 quarterly rail safety statistics (PDF, 150kb)
2012
- October-December 2012 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 152kb)
- July-September 2012 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 140kb)
- April-June 2012 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 144kb)
- January-March 2012 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 404kb)
2011
- October-December 2011 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 148kb)
- July-September Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 315kb )
- April-June 2011 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 143kb)
- January-March 2011 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 314kb)
2010
- October-December 2010 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 313kb)
- July-September 2010 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 309kb)
- April-June 2010 Quarterly Statistical Statement of Rail Incidents (PDF, 309kb )