New Zealand

Level crossing collisions finally reducing - foundation

22:04 pm on 6 January 2013

The Chris Cairns Foundation launched in 2006 to highlight the dangers of level crossings says the number of collisions between vehicles and trains at crossings last year was the lowest since 1997.

There were 14 crashes between cars and trains and a death toll of two in 2012.

The foundation was established in honour of Louise Cairns - the sister of former international cricketer Chris Cairns - who lost her life on a passenger train when a cement truck failed to stop at a level crossing.

The foundation's manager Megan Drayton says the number of collisions and deaths over the past few years shows an encouraging downward trend and it looks like drivers are finally getting the message about rail crossing safety.