NEWCASTLE light rail driver Corey Moore believes it is only a matter of time before a serious collision with a tram occurs, such is the regularity of near misses on the line.
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Mr Moore spoke on behalf of drivers on Thursday when it was revealed more than 200 near misses had occurred with light rail vehicles in the 109 days they have been carrying passengers.
The alarming amount of close calls prompted NSW Police, Roads and Maritime Services and Transport for NSW to issue a joint safety reminder.
"As a driver, it would be my worst nightmare to be involved in a crash with a vehicle or a pedestrian," Mr Moore said.
"As tram drivers, we are trained to look out for other drivers and pedestrians.
"We are being extremely cautious as we travel through intersections, but trams can't stop quickly or easily and the close calls we've had are really concerning.
"It's going to happen, I suppose, we've just got to drive defensively and minimise the risk."
Road and Maritime Services director for the Hunter, Anna Zycki, said there were a number of areas along the 2.7-kilometre line where incidents had regularly occurred.
"We've seen in excess of 200 near misses around Stewart Avenue, Steel Street and Worth Place in the last few months as motorists travel through red lights and almost collide with trams that have the right of way," Ms Zycki said.
"Roads and Maritime Services have adjusted the phasing of the lights and have installed signs to remind motorists of traffic signals and trams ahead at Stewart Avenue, we will also be installing signs on Steel Street in coming weeks."
Chief Inspector Amanda Calder said police had been undertaking enforcement operations targeting motorists who drive through red lights at intersections on the line.
"It's a serious offence to run a red light, but in particular when you're coming up against a tram which may carry up to 200 people," she said.
"The consequences of a motor vehicle colliding with a tram are extremely high.
"We have, over the last 10 years, had 67 crashes across NSW resulting in five deaths at a number of level crossings."
Motorists who run a red light face a $448 fine and lose three demerit points.
Anyone caught driving or riding on the light rail tracks will be hit with a $257 fine and lose one demerit point.
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However, they can also be fined $448 and lose three demerit points if they cross double lines marked on the road to access the tracks, which the majority of Hunter Street features.
Chief Inspector Calder said more than 140 infringement notices had been handed out since light rail services commenced in February.
"The incidents we've seen on CCTV were extremely dangerous behaviour," she said.
"Police will now be out in force and we'll infringing all drivers who run run red lights and drive dangerously around the light rail corridor.
"We all have responsibility, and that is also for pedestrians who are crossing across the light rail corridors."
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