MOTORISTS and pedestrians are still risking their lives and those of other road and rail users by routinely ignoring basic safety at level crossings, British Transport Police warn.

Officers are carrying out additional high-visibility patrols at crossings in a week of action which starts on Monday, February 2.

‘Operation Look’ will see BTP, which is releasing clips of incidents at level crossings, and Network Rail in an awareness campaign backed by the AA and the RAC.

Between April last year and this January, 400 motorists were charged or summonsed for crossing misuse, 357 received fixed penalty notices, 16 were cautioned and 568 were sent on driver awareness courses.

In the same period, BTP officers dealt with drivers aged between 17 and 90 for crossing misuse.

Insp Becky Warren said: “All too often people get into the habit of taking risks at crossings. Our message is simple – use crossings safely.

“It may be tempting to jump a light to shave a minute or two off your journey, but every time you do, you endanger your life and the lives of other road and rail users.

“Fail to obey the signals and you may also end up with a driving ban or a criminal record. Is it really worth the risk?”