Sydney tram near misses are shown in footage released by NSW authorities, with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists narrowly avoiding collisions on Sydney’s light rail network.

Official safety image showing a Parramatta Light Rail vehicle near pedestrians and road traffic
Official project image showing a Parramatta Light Rail vehicle near pedestrians and road traffic. Photo: Transport for NSW

Sydney tram near misses captured on video

The video captures several close calls involving 4WDs, sedans, pedestrians and food delivery cyclists. In some clips, tram drivers are forced to brake sharply as people or vehicles move across the path of oncoming light rail vehicles.

NSW Transport Minister John Graham said the footage showed how little margin there can be in such incidents.

“These moments are hard to watch when the difference between a near miss and something much worse can be measured in centimetres and milliseconds,”

“Light rail vehicles weigh the equivalent of 60 cars, they can’t swerve and they take time to come to a stop.

“Every one of these close calls is avoidable and we urge people to follow the road rules, remain alert, and not distracted by your phone.”

In one clip, a person selling novelty items nearly gets hit by a Sydney tram. Another shows a pedestrian quickly moving away after stepping onto the track.

Archive photo of a Sydney Light Rail Urbos 100 tram on Hay Street
Archive photo of a Sydney Light Rail Urbos 100 tram on Hay Street. Photo: Roadrunnerz45 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Safety warning for Sydney light rail users

State government figures show there were eight collisions and 127 near misses⁠ across the four light rail lines in Sydney and Parramatta from January to the end of April.

Two pedestrians have died over the past three years in incidents involving Sydney’s light rail network. In both cases, the person attempted to cross over the coupling between two tram carriages.

The footage released on Sunday also includes a person walking across tram tracks while looking at a phone. Other scenes show vehicles turning across moving trams, cyclists narrowly avoiding impact, and a man running in front of a tram before continuing to run off.

Official guidance treats light rail safety as an issue for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers. NSW authorities say collisions and near misses can stop trams, require an emergency response, cause delays and take light rail vehicles out of service. Sudden braking can also put passengers at risk of injury and affect tram drivers. Transport for NSW advises pedestrians to use designated crossings, check both directions and avoid mobile phone distractions. Cyclists are told not to ride along the tracks, while drivers are warned not to drive in the tramway, queue across intersections or turn in front of a tram.

Transport for NSW co-ordinator-general Howard Collins also urged people to take more care around light rail.

“this footage should be a real wake-up call for people”.

“We want everyone to understand that safe behaviour around light rail isn’t optional. Taking an extra moment to look, listen and obey signals can prevent injury,”