ScotRail enlists grandparents’ help in safety campaign

Thursday, 04 October 2012

ScotRail has uploaded a safety film aimed at grandparents to the YouTube website – as part of a major campaign to reduce accidents at stations.

The two-and-a-half minute film highlights ways that grandparents can encourage grandchildren to be safe during their journeys together.

It is part of the train operator’s SafeStations campaign, which aims to lower the number of accidents – especially those involving children – at stations.

A grandmother and her granddaughter Norah are shown enjoying a day out by train, but making a number of unsafe decisions.

The film highlights ways that they could have been safer, such as:

• Using lifts, instead of carrying large luggage on escalators
   
• Leaving plenty of time, to avoid rushing for trains
   
• Using wide ticket gates at stations, rather than squeezing through with luggage and grandchildren
   
• Avoiding wearing high heels when travelling, and;
   
• Standing a longer distance back from the platform edge.

ScotRail launched its SafeStations campaign following more than 650 injuries caused by trips, slips and falls at its stations since April 2009.

Although the numbers are steady year-on-year, and the vast majority were minor incidents, ScotRail is determined to use SafeStations to encourage customers to take extra care.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “The SafeStations campaign highlights safety issues in fun and engaging ways – including this YouTube video.

“Our campaign is all about encouraging people of all of all ages - and in particular the young - to take extra care at stations.

“We also hope grandparents will support our aims by encouraging grandchildren to think about safety at all times when using Scotland's railways.”

The video, titled ‘Norah Knows Best’, can be viewed at www.youtube.com/scotrail