Accidents at level crossings in Portugal kill nine in 2025

The 24 level crossing accidents recorded in Portugal in 2025 resulted in nine deaths, according to an official statement released today, which highlights that the number has not fallen “in line” with the reduction in the number of these crossings.

In other words, the reduction in the number of existing level crossings has not been matched by the expected decrease in accidents, say GNR police, Infraestruturas de Portugal and the Institute for Mobility and Transport/National Railway Safety Authority, in a joint statement.

Even more worrying: of the 24 accidents recorded in 2025 – 18 collisions and six train-pedestrian accidents – 20 occurred at level crossings equipped with active safety measures, which reveals, according to authorities, “a disregard for the signage in place”.

As the three entities stress, the effectiveness of safety measures “depends above all on (users’) behaviour”.

As of December 31, last year, there were 763 level crossings, of which “more than 60% had active protection”, provided by staff or automatic signalling (barriers, sound and lights), the statement details, comparing this with the “distant reality” observed in 1999, when the law regulating these facilities was first adopted. In that year, of the 2,494 level crossings that existed, only 26% had safety measures in place.

Nevertheless, the strategy to reduce accidents at level crossings has led to a decrease in the number of accidents and casualties, the three entities concede – citing the target of reducing the number of accidents “to fewer than 10 by 2030”.

In a joint statement marking International Level Crossing Safety Awareness Day today, the three highlight “the risks associated with failing to comply with the rules and warning signs”

The 24 accidents recorded last year “affected 580 trains, which accumulated a total of 17,994 minutes of delay, with obvious disruption for thousands of passengers and rail traffic management”, they add

As part of the plan to reduce accidents, last year 44 level crossings were removed and a further 28 were upgraded (21 of which were automated) – representing an investment of €70 million.

International Level Crossing Safety Awareness Day is a global initiative, coordinated by the International Union of Railways, involving organisations from various countries.

In this 18th edition, the campaign focuses on the message “Alert today – Safe tomorrow”, emphasising the importance of adopting “responsible and safe behaviour, which is crucial for preventing accidents at these crossings”.

According to the press release, the event is being marked in Portugal by activities at various level crossings from north to south of the country, and “the installation of systems to detect offences” is also underway.

Source: LUSA