Officers from Western Plains Traffic and Highway Patrol are set to target risky driver behaviour at level crossings in support of the 10-day operation.

The enforcement campaign that starts on Tuesday is aimed at reinforcing level crossing safety in the local area and has a particular focus on Mumbil and Stuart Town.

It will run until September 15 and with the tagline ‘#trainyourselftostop’ it seeks to educate motorists to be vigilant at all times.

It is part of an ongoing series of awareness and enforcement campaigns relating to level crossings, and is a joint initiative by NSW Police Force and Transport for NSW.

During the campaign, police will be on the look-out for motorists ignoring flashing lights/signs, speeding near level crossings and drivers who are distracted by illegal use of mobile phones.

Throughout the 2016/2017 financial year, police issued 422 penalty notices for traffic offences at level crossings.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said that despite the high consequences, many people are ignoring warnings at level crossings.

Assistant Commissioner Corboy said the emerging issue being targeted in the 2017-18 series of level crossing campaigns was speeding.

“Train Yourself to Stop is the police message for this year’s campaign and that also means slow down when approaching a level crossing so that you can stop,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

Western region traffic tactician Inspector Peter McMenamin said they looked a number of risk factors including traffic flow, near misses and crash data in planning the program.

He said drivers could travel across a level crossing on a daily basis, sometimes more, and complacency could creep in.

“The repercussions of a crash a very significant, by preventing one crash [it’s] probably saving a number of lives.”

NSW Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said through the Towards Zero campaign, Transport for NSW was working hard to drive the road toll down, and highlight there was no acceptable number when it came to lives lost.

“From July 2001 to June 2017 there have been 134 collisions between trains and road vehicles at level crossings in NSW, resulting in deaths and serious injuries, which is why we’re cracking down on this dangerous behaviour,” Mr Carlon said.

“We are working together with NSW Police to reduce the loss of life on our roads.

“Promoting level crossing safety is another way we are driving the road toll towards zero.”

Residents living in nearby areas are being kept informed of the campaign with letterbox drops ahead of the enforcement period.

There will also be electronic billboards reminding motorists to take care at level crossings.

The penalty for disobeying controls at a level crossing is three demerit points and a $439 fine.