Gatekeeper at the defective crossing: Danger for everyone in Hameln!

Gatekeeper at the defective crossing: Danger for everyone in Hameln!

Once again, the Wehler Weg railway crossing in Hameln is the center of attention. The automatic barrier at the busy crossing has broken down and spare parts are no longer available. This means that barrier guards have had to ensure safety at this point for several months, a situation that is expected to last at least another year. According to the Dewezet The automatic closing function of the crossing has been defective since the summer, which is why the makeshift deployment of the barrier guards became necessary. These protect both pedestrians and technology from possible dangers.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the Wehler Weg level crossing is on Deutsche Bahn's renovation list. The renovation is scheduled for 2024, which could temporarily ease the situation. But until then, the barrier guards have to be careful: “We help people get across the tracks safely,” said an employee on site.

Risk and reduction in accidents

It should be noted that there is a general increase in attention to safety at level crossings. A serious accident in Hamburg in February 2023, in which an ICE passenger died and 24 others were injured, made it clear how serious the situation is. The RND reports that Deutsche Bahn plans to further reduce the number of level crossings in Germany in order to counteract the risk of accidents. In the 1990s there were still 28,000 level crossings; in 2023 there were only 15,820.

The situation is similar in Lower Saxony. While the number of accidents at level crossings has fallen in recent years, the risk of accidents for residents when a crossing is temporarily closed is statistically increased. Over 95% of accidents are due to human error, be it due to inattention or carelessness. That’s why the “Sure about it” awareness campaign is particularly important. This is intended to make people aware of the dangers at railway crossings.

The barrier guards and their tasks

The barrier guards on Wehler Weg don't have it easy. The DB gave them nine days of training and sets clear requirements: a minimum age of 18, a secondary school leaving certificate and a good knowledge of German are a must. Your job is not only to regulate traffic, but also to act in an emergency. The daily news points out that a new peak in accidents at level crossings is expected in 2025. This is part of the increasing demands on safety and traffic education.

Every time a train approaches, the gate guards have their hands full to avoid misunderstandings. “The trains are announced to us by telephone so that everyone is on the safe side,” explains a station manager. Connection points like these are vital because the braking distance of a train is long and the safety of pedestrians is always the top priority.

The daily challenges also include impatient drivers who do not want to clear the tracks quickly enough after the trains have passed through. But it's not just people who are a risk factor - technology is also susceptible to failure. “We use what we have on the move,” says a barrier attendant, pointing to the delicate, temporary system with above-ground cables.

The future of Wehler Weg sheds light on the current situation of level crossings in Germany. With the planned renovation and the focus on reducing dangerous crossings, Deutsche Bahn hopes to master the safety challenges. A step that is urgently needed to sustainably reduce the risk of accidents.