Dramatic rise in train-related accidents sparks concern in Hungary

An alarming rise in railway accidents has been observed in Hungary this year, with most incidents caused by reckless driving, speeding, and the disregard of railway signals. Drivers often ignore red lights and use their phones while driving, leading to collisions at railway crossings. This year alone, 570 instances of barrier damage have been reported, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

Rail service disruption, significant delays

A railway accident in Veresegyház, Hungary in 2016. Photo: MÁV

Such accidents not only disrupt rail services but also cause severe delays, sometimes affecting thousands of passengers. The damaged trains often need to be taken out of service for repairs, and in some cases, they are beyond repair and must be scrapped, turizmus.com writes, based on MÁV.

The number of pedestrian accidents, often involving people illegally on the tracks, has also increased. So far this year, 32 such incidents have occurred, resulting in 20 fatalities. Comparatively, during the same period last year, there were 20 pedestrian accidents, with 6 resulting in death.

Cyclists and pedestrians at high risk

Cyclists and pedestrians are also at high risk, especially those who cross tracks without paying attention or using designated crossings. Distractions like headphones, hoods, or mobile phones often prevent them from noticing oncoming trains, leading to tragic outcomes.

Tragically, there has also been a rise in railway suicides, with 73 cases reported this year compared to 52 during the same period last year.

“Get Home Safely!”

Photo: FB / MÁV

MÁV, Hungary’s national railway company, has been actively working to prevent accidents for years. In April 2022, they launched a nationwide safety campaign titled “Get Home Safely!” (“Érj haza bizonságban!“) aimed at educating the public, improving road safety awareness, and reducing accident rates. The campaign includes eye-catching posters placed near railway crossings across the country.

MÁV emphasises that reducing the number of accidents is a shared responsibility and urges both drivers and pedestrians to follow traffic rules diligently, as adhering to them can be a matter of life and death.

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