Rushing for Trains: A Risky Habit Endangering Passengers
The familiar scene of passengers sprinting for a departing train, wrestling luggage onto escalators, or shoving bags into closing doors is a common, yet perilous, aspect of rail travel. In the United Kingdom, these hurried actions result in a staggering two people being injured at train stations daily, simply because travellers compromise their safety in a bid to save precious minutes or avoid a bit of extra effort.
New research has unveiled the surprising reasons behind this risky behaviour, with a significant 31 per cent of passengers admitting that their “inner voice” urges them to rush. While only 20 per cent confess to having experienced the jarring reality of getting caught in a closing train door, a much larger 25 per cent have witnessed this mishap unfold before their eyes.
Data compiled by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) from a survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals that a substantial 800 preventable injuries occur across their network each year due to these unsafe practices. Alarmingly, many passengers seem oblivious to the potential dangers. A considerable 32 per cent of respondents were unaware that running for a train could actually lead to injury. Similarly, 27 per cent admitted to not realising that using escalators with heavy luggage or prams posed a safety risk or could have negative consequences.
Despite the prevalence of these risky actions, a notable portion of passengers find them embarrassing. Around half of travellers feel sheepish about rushing for a train, and a staggering 79 per cent share the same sentiment about getting stuck in a train door.
GTR has identified its busiest stations for such accidents, with Gatwick Airport, Brighton, East Croydon, and Victoria topping the list. To combat this issue and encourage a more mindful approach to rail travel, GTR has teamed up with Diane Morgan, star of “Last One Laughing.”
A Humorous Approach to Safety
In an effort to promote safer travel habits, GTR is launching its first-ever train safety film, titled “Travel Safe with Diane Morgan.” This light-hearted campaign, featuring the comedian’s signature dry wit, aims to encourage travellers to allow extra time for their journeys, avoid rushing, and prioritise their safety. The film, set to be released on Monday, March 23, will showcase Morgan on the brink of committing common station safety blunders.
The beloved comic will be seen engaging in classic risky passenger behaviours, from a frantic dash down the platform to attempting to force open closing doors, only to be hilariously interrupted. This comedic approach is designed to shed light on the everyday choices passengers make and inspire them to reconsider their actions.
Speaking about her involvement, Diane Morgan stated, “As has been well publicised, I have always been a strong advocate for rail safety. Unlike some of my comedy contemporaries, who would love to see passengers fall down stairs or get their head trapped in the closing doors, I have always made it quite clear that rail safety is my number one priority.” She described the short films as a “culmination of my life’s work” and urged train passengers to watch and “Enjoy them.”
Making Safety a Priority
Samantha Facey, Health, Safety and Security Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, emphasised the preventable nature of most incidents. “Most injuries we see from these behaviours are preventable and we’re committed to helping our customers travel safely,” she explained. “We know that people are busy, journeys can be rushed, and some of these habits are so ingrained that they stop feeling like risks at all. That’s exactly why we needed a different approach, and working with Diane gave us something powerful – a chance to make people laugh at behaviour they might recognise in themselves, and in doing so, genuinely think twice.”
Facey added, “We want customers to pause, take their time, and travel safely, and I hope this film is a step towards that. If you’ve ever sprinted for a train, wrestled luggage onto an escalator, or tested a closing door, watch the film. It might just change your mind.”
The campaign serves as a timely reminder that even seemingly minor acts of haste can have serious consequences. By encouraging passengers to slow down and be more aware of their surroundings, GTR hopes to significantly reduce the number of preventable injuries on its network.
