Drivers who fail to give way to cane trains could soon be caught on camera. 

CCTV cameras will be fitted to the front and back of Wilmar’s locos to record details of vehicles and pedestrians who break the law at level crossings. 

The video technology was trialled on Wilmar’s loco fleet in the Herbert region last year. 

Wilmar Sugar’s General Manager Cane Supply and Grower Relations Paul Giordani said it had proved to be a very useful tool. 

“Last season we recorded footage of trucks, cars and even cyclists failing to give way to cane trains,” Mr Giordani said. 

“We even had one incident of a car stopping at the crossing, and then speeding through it to beat one of our trains. 

“We downloaded the footage and handed it over to police to help them with their investigations,” Mr Giordani said. 

The Jarvisfield and Scott are the first two Burdekin locos to get the cameras. 

“We’re spending about $42,000 to install the cameras in all 35 of our Burdekin locos over the next two years,” Mr Giordani said. 

Acting Officer In Charge of the Ayr Police Station Sergeant Ben Walsh welcomed the technology, and said police had a close working relationship with Wilmar Sugar.

“Each year police officers are required to investigate serious traffic incidents involving Wilmar locos,” Sergeant Walsh said. 

“Many, if not all, of these incidents could have been prevented by drivers of motor vehicles paying greater attention to the road and what is happening around them. 

“Police welcome any advancement of technologies which aid in these investigations,” Sergeant Walsh said. 

Wilmar’s Burdekin Cane Supply Manager John Tait said Wilmar wanted to get the message out to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to use their train brain when approaching level crossings. 

“The first of our mills will start crushing cane in early June,” Mr Tait said. 

“Cane trains will soon be running throughout the Burdekin region as they operate 24/7 to supply our mills. 

“Use your train brain, give way to cane trains and stay safe,” Mr Tait said. 

Inkerman Mill is scheduled to start the crushing season on Tuesday 2 June and will be the first Wilmar’s Queensland mills to fire up. 

The other three Burdekin mills will start a week later on Tuesday 9 June. 

Wilmar Sugar Australia owns and maintains more than 630km of railway track in the Burdekin.