Reiterating the warning against bumping one’s vehicle into level crossing gates of the Railways, the Palakkad division of Southern Railway on Saturday (June 13, 2026) said it has successfully recovered ₹17.27 lakh penalty from offenders who drove their vehicles in to level crossing (LC) gates during 2025-26 to compensate the damage.

Expressing serious concern over the increasing number of accidents occurring at LC gates due to negligence and violation of safety rules by road users, the Division said a total of 79 LC accidents were reported during 2025-26, including 55 in 2025 and 24 in 2026.

Driving licences suspended

Most of these incidents occurred when road users attempted to cross railway tracks despite warning signals or closed gates, endangering their own lives as well as the safety of train operations. The driving licences of six accused drivers have been suspended for a period of three months by the competent authorities. The remaining cases are under various stages of processing.

In all such cases, criminal proceedings were initiated against the offenders. The division has also been pursuing stringent action through the concerned licencing authorities for the suspension of the driving licences of drivers involved in LC gate-hit incidents.

The Palakkad division reiterates that level crossing gates are critical safety installations and that the violations can lead to fatal consequences, disruption of train services, and substantial damage to railway property.

Road users are advised to strictly obey gate signals, warning boards, and instructions of gatekeepers. Attempting to cross tracks when gates are closed or ignoring warning indications is a punishable offence and may result in prosecution, recovery of damages, and suspension of driving licences.