WA rail union pushes back on proposal for safety lights on trains

Politicians and advocates have welcomed change, but industry has concerns. (ABC Rural: Jo Prendergast)

WA's rail union has pushed back on proposed changes to mandatory train lighting.

Its state secretary says the onus is on road users to stay safe at level crossings.

A draft bill to enforce stricter lighting on trains and rolling stock has been brought to WA parliament.

The state union for train drivers says a draft bill mandating more lights on trains is "fundamentally flawed" and would not fix motorists' behaviour at level crossings.

Last week, the WA opposition introduced draft legislation to state parliament that would require regional trains to have flashing beacons, side lighting and more reflectors, which are not required under the current national act.

The bill would have a two-year implementation period so vehicles could be retrofitted, and largely target large agricultural and mining trains.

Both WA Labor and the opposition have said they would prefer a federal law change to maintain consistent rules across Australia, but WA Nationals leader Shane Love said change from any level was overdue.

Shane Love introduced the bill to WA parliament. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)

Mr Love said the move would make passive level crossings, which rely on a stop or give way sign to warn motorists rather than a boom gate or lights, safer.

There are more than 20,000 level crossings in Australia and about 80 per cent are passive, prompting a national campaign to mandate more lighting to improve train visibility.

The WA Rail, Tram and Bus Union has pushed back against the proposed bill, saying it puts the onus on train drivers, rather than road users.

Union state secretary Josh Dekuyer said train visibility was not the cause of the majority of train crashes.

"Overwhelmingly, about 75 per cent of the rail incidents occur during daylight hours," he said.

"Having the train more visible doesn't really address poor road user behaviour.

Mr Dekuyer said flashing beacons could distract train drivers and cause headaches, pointing to a 2023 trial done with CBH trains.

The grain handling company committed to installing LED beacon lights on all current and future train after the "successful" trials but has yet to fully implement the changes.

"[The lights] had impacts on concentration, there was glare affecting them," Mr Dekuyer said.

The rail industry is apprehensive about the draft bill. (ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas)

"What we need to make sure is that we are not introducing a safety measure that ends up creating new safety [issues], because if that does, t