More Dumb People Are Dying

Why Are Even More Dumb People Dying?

Despite the popularity and much touted success of their video “Dumb Ways to Die” (nearly 80 million Youtube hits), Transport Safety Victoria have just released the latest safety statistics which unfortunately tell a different story:

The latest incident statistics from the rail safety regulator show that there were 182 reported pedestrian near misses at level crossings last year, a figure which represents a 66 per cent increase on the previous 12 month period.

See press release and statistics below

Whilst many were distracted by the cuteness of this campaign and its catchy jingle, others, including Dr Rob Long, long ago predicted major problems with this ineffectual, if not dangerous approach. This is what we have published about this campaign previously:

Dumb Ways To Die and A Strange Sense of Success – Safety and…

Dumb Ways to Measure Effectiveness – Safety and Risk Management

Dumb Ways to Love and Die – Safety and Risk Management

New Safety Video–Dumb Ways to Die – Safety and Risk Management

Dumb Ways to Discourse, a Failed Approach in Safety – Safety and…

Graph Source: STATISTICS

Extract from their recent media release:

Safety regulator issues warning to risky rail track crossers

For immediate release – Monday 28 April 2014

Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) is reminding pedestrians to take greater care around railway
level crossings as it reveals that 2013 saw more near miss incidents than in any of the
previous four years.

The latest incident statistics from the rail safety regulator show that there were 182 reported
pedestrian near misses at level crossings last year, a figure which represents a 66 per cent
increase on the previous 12 month period.

Andrew Doery, Director, Rail Safety, said that pedestrians must take safety more seriously
and avoid taking risks at level crossings.

“Failing to pay attention around rail level crossings or racing to beat a train at a crossing can
have disastrous consequences.

“The difference between a near miss and a fatality can be a fraction of a second. Last year,
five people tragically lost their lives after they were struck by trains at level crossings across
the state.

“Every near miss, incident or fatality on the rail network may cause severe and ongoing
trauma to train drivers and rail employees.READ THE REST HERE

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• Safety Professionals Behaving Badly
• Australian ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ safety clip goes viral

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Dr Rob Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions

Latest posts by Dr Rob Long (see all)

• Tackling Risk With Engagement Boards - February 19, 2020
• The Rhizome as a Learning Model for Risk - February 17, 2020
• Rhythms, Musicophilia and Safety - February 16, 2020
• Real Ethical Dilemmas for Safety People - February 15, 2020
• Psychics, Safety and Zero Quackery - February 13, 2020

PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.