Arriva Trains Wales | ARRIVA TRAINS LAUNCHES ‘SUPER’ SAFETY CAMPAIGN

ARRIVA TRAINS LAUNCHES ‘SUPER’ SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Super heroes with a difference have been seen at train stations across Wales as Arriva Trains Wales launched a campaign aimed at improving safety on trains and at stations.

Super Heroes Every year over 100 accidents are reported at stations across Wales and Arriva estimates that the figure could be doubled to include those not officially reported.

Drinking too much, rushing for trains or to exit stations and not watching over children properly have been identified by Arriva as the three key reasons for accidents in stations and on board trains. Nearly a quarter of all accidents (23.3%) happen on board trains with the remaining 76.7% taking place in stations.

To improve safety while travelling Arriva is launching an innovative ‘Super’ Safety campaign where fallen super-heroes - Rush Gordon, Wander Woman and Super-Twerp - feature on posters to illustrate those behaviours which lead to accidents. As well as the high profile poster campaign, the characters themselves travelled around the country visiting stations to helhighlight the issue to passengers.

Throughout the week staff at Arriva stations will be wearing ‘Super Safety’ stickers to remind passengers that they should report dangerous or poor behaviour of any sort to members of staff. Conductors will also be handing out super-hero stickers to well behaved children on board trains.

Mike Bagshaw, commercial director for Arriva Trains Wales, explains the need for the campaign:” Safety on our trains and in our stations is our priority. Although the number of passenger accidents overall is decreasing, over 100 accidents per year is still too many. We want to highlight in an eye-catching way the specific behaviours that we know lead to accidents. Drink related accidents in particular are of concern as it is often the lack of judgment associated with alcohol that leads to serious accidents. While this is a lighthearted campaign to appeal to all age groups, there is a very serious message underneath.

“We hope the characters will raise awareness of the issue of safety at stations and on board trains and that this campaign encourages passengers to consider their behaviour for their safety and that of their fellow passengers.”

Steve Baker, Head of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Wales, says: ”Accidental injury occurring in public places is sadly often as a result of poor individual behaviour and a lack of personal responsibility.

"One of RoSPA's key aims is to reduce injuries and a significant way of achieving this is by making our environment safer by reminding individuals of the need to follow good safety habits at all times. Experience has shown us that high-impact and visual safety campaigns are very effective in raising the awareness of risks and unsafe practices.

"RoSPA believes that the innovative and visual approach adopted by Arriva Trains Wales for this campaign is sure to raise awareness of the risks that lead to accidents at stations and on trains as well as emphasising to rail users the importance of behaving correctly and responsibly at all times.

“RoSPA wishes Arriva Trains Wales every success in their campaign to make rail travel a safer and more pleasant experience for their passengers."