A crackdown on drivers who flout safety rules at level crossings will be launched today.
British Transport Police (BTP) will station mobile safety vehicles at crossings throughout the country to try to deter and catch offenders.
Monitoring will be more stringent than ever before, through the use of automatic number plate recognition.
The vehicles will operate at Elgin, Halkirk, Raigmore, Dingwall, and Insch and other sites in the north and north-east.
Operation Look is being launched because of the risks being taken by many motorists and pedestrians at level crossings.
Last year, 337 motorists in Scotland failed to obey warning lights or lowered barriers.
Figures have shown people of all ages are dicing with death to try to knock a few minutes off their journey time.
BTP will be assisted by Network Rail and motoring organisations the RAC and the AA.
Alongside monitoring vehicles, the operation will also involve crossing managers and volunteers handing out safety information leaflets.
BTP inspector Becky Warren said: “All too often people get into the habit of taking risks at crossings and our message is simple – use crossings safely.
“It may be tempting to jump a light to shave a minute or two off your journey, but every time you do, you endanger your life and the lives of other road and rail users.
“Fail to obey the signals and you may also end up with a driving ban or a criminal record. Is it really worth the risk?”
Network Rail’s level crossing champion, Tina Hughes, added: “Having lost my 14-year-old daughter, Olivia, with her friend on a level crossing in 2005, I am delighted to see this nationwide week of action.
“It brings BTP and Network Rail together to emphasise the importance of education and enforcement to help and encourage people to behave safely at level crossings.”
There have been several major accidents at level crossings in the north in recent years.
In 2007, two teenagers from Tain died after the car they were passengers in was hit by a train at Delny level crossing in Easter Ross.
Pensioners Angus MacKay and his wife Margaret, both 81, and Mr MacKay’s brother Donnie, 66, from Latheron, were killed when their car was struck by a train at Halkirk in Caithness in 2009.
Sarah Jappy was seriously injured in an accident at the same crossing in 2002.
