Transport bosses have released video footage of three dramatic tram crashes as part of a warning for drivers to be more aware.
The clips show three different vehicles - a van, car and a HGV - colliding with a tram, after they pulled out onto the tracks before the driver had time to stop. One of the clips was captured on busy Mosley Street in Manchester city centre, closed to St Peter's Square tram stop.
Metrolink bosses have released the footage to urge drivers to 'be tram aware' when driving near tracks, particularly at junctions and level crossings. They said that there were 91 crashes with trams between April and December 2022.
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'Most incidents' were caused by driver error, Transport for Greater Manchester said. Between the same period of time, Metrolink had to spend £1.4 million on repair costs.
Most of this was recovered through motorists' insurance. Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: "It’s vitally important that motorists remain vigilant when driving close to the Metrolink network, particularly where the tracks run on or along roads.
"Our trams weigh 40 tonnes and have the potential to cause significant injury and damage if they are involved in a collision, so please take extra care when driving. In most cases collisions on Metrolink are due to motorists not paying attention, so we hope that by releasing this footage, drivers will be more tram aware help reduce the risk crashes and additional consequences such as the disruption to our customers."
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