Shocking footage shows cars being struck by trams as TfGM issues warning to Manchester motorists

Between April and December 2022 there were 91 car collisions with trams in Greater Manchester - most of them the car driver’s fault, according to TFGM.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Transport for Greater Manchester is urging motorists to “be tram aware” when driving near the Metrolink after releasing footage of recent road traffic collisions on the network.

Between April and December 2022 there were 91 car collisions with trams, with most incidents caused by driver error on the motorist’s side, according to TfGM.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Drivers are being asked to be more aware of their surroundings when sharing road space with trams, particularly at junctions and level crossings. Clips of three collisions released by TfGM today show drivers of cars and heavy goods vehicles pulling ahead of oncoming trams, before the tram driver can react.

TFGM has highlighted the potential for serious injury, along with disruption to public transport networks - and a £1.4m bill in repair costs between April and December 2022, which is mostly being recovered through motorists’ insurance.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s head of Metrolink, said: “It’s vitally important that motorists remain vigilant when driving close to the Metrolink network, particularly where the tracks run on or along roads.

“Our trams weigh 40 tonnes and have the potential to cause significant injury and damage if they are involved in a collision, so please take extra care when driving.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In most cases collisions on Metrolink are due to motorists not paying attention, so we hope that by releasing this footage, drivers will be more tram aware help reduce the risk crashes and additional consequences such as the disruption to our customers.”