Distracting habits and reckless behavior have led to a worrying surge in near-miss incidents across Adelaide's metropolitan rail network, prompting local transport authorities to issue an urgent wake-up call to the public.

New figures covering the 2025-26 reporting period reveal that train drivers reported 163 near misses—a four per cent increase compared to the previous year. Alarmingly, pedestrians were responsible for 60 per cent of these heart-stopping incidents, while cyclists accounted for roughly 35 per cent.

The Worst-Affected Rail Lines

While some areas showed improvement, the Gawler line emerged as the most hazardous corridor, accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents with 72 near misses. The Belair line also saw an uptick in dangerous behavior. On a positive note, both the Seaford and Outer Harbor lines experienced a decline in near-miss reports, and the metropolitan tram network saw a significant 30 per cent reduction in incidents, dropping from 165 to 113.

'A Bee’s Whisker' From Tragedy

The state government recently released shocking CCTV footage to highlight the scale of the issue. The videos depict terrifying moments, including a cyclist pulling back at the absolute last second and a pedestrian forced to dive out of the path of an oncoming train.

SA Transport Minister Joe Szakacs expressed deep concern over the trend, targeting distracted commuters who ignore their surroundings. "In just the short four months that I've been minister, I've seen some pretty mind-blowing CCTV footage of people [who], for any other reason, are just not paying attention," Minister Szakacs said. "It is a bee's whisker between them being cleaned up by a train and them getting home safely."

The Minister particularly warned against the use of headphones at active crossings, reminding commuters of the physics involved. A standard passenger train requires up to 500 meters to come to an emergency stop, while a heavy freight train can take up to two kilometers to halt.

Drivers Speak Out Against Risk-Taking

The dangerous behavior is a daily stressor for the drivers operating these massive machines. Local train driver Ben Hemmerling shared the frustration and fear experienced in the driver's cabin, noting that pedestrians often actively bypass safety measures.

"Rather than waiting for the bells and the sounds to stop and wait for the train to pass, they push through [automatic barriers] and try to beat the train," Mr. Hemmerling said. He urged commuters to stop and think about the severe consequences of their impatience. "Think twice — think about that train that might not be stopping."