Licences of railway gate dashers to be suspended

Kochi: Repeated incidents of vehicles dashing through closed railway level-cross gates and getting trapped inside have raised serious safety concerns, putting the lives of road users, railway staff and train passengers at risk. Railway protection force (RPF), Thiruvananthapuram division, has decided to enforce strict measures, including suspension of license to immediately stop such violations.Drivers who ignore warning signals, attempt to cross after gates are closed, or forcibly break through railway gates will also face criminal proceedings and recovery of damage caused to railway property. The increasing number of such incidents has become a matter of serious concern.To reduce such incidents, RPF in coordination with all departments concerned, especially motor vehicles department, has intensified action against motorists violating safety rules at railway level crossings.State transport commissioner recently issued a circular, directing strict action against drivers involved in railway level-cross gate dash incidents. The circular was issued after RPF sought strong action against offenders whose reckless behaviour endangered railway operations and public safety."The licensing authorities have been instructed to initiate suspension of driving licence of offenders based on reports received from railway authorities," said a statement issued by railways.In 2025, a total of 104 railway level-cross gate dash incidents were reported in Thiruvananthapuram division. This year, 27 such incidents have been reported so far. Every gate dash incident affects train operations and causes avoidable delays to trains carrying thousands of passengers daily. After such incidents, trains are often delayed until railway staff inspect tracks, signalling systems, gates and other safety equipment to ensure safe train movement. More importantly, such reckless acts can lead to major accidents, derailments, serious injuries and loss of lives."Analysis of incidents shows that most violations happen due to rash driving, speeding near level crossings, impatience and attempts to cross after warning signals are given or gates are closed," the statement added.