Switch off mobile phones on tracks, says Railway Dept

Irangika Range

The Railway Department urged the public not to use mobile phones while walking along railway tracks since there has been an increase in the number of deaths of mobile phone users along rail tracks after being knocked down by trains.

At least 15 people using their mobile telephones while walking on railway tracks have died after being knocked down by trains this year, Railways Commercial Superintendent Wijeya Samarasinghe told the Daily News.

He said the distraction of using cell phones near train tracks is a growing concern and warned the public about the danger of talking or texting on mobile phones near tracks.

He said lots of people including schoolchildren walk along the track or cross the track daily.

“Once they are preoccupied on their mobile phones they do not hear the train. Trains travel fast and being close to the rail tracks is also dangerous, because trains have about a three-feet overhang on the side. That is why we advise people to just stay away from the tracks,” Samarasinghe said.