Seconds from death: Video shows shocking near misses

TOO MANY people are playing Russian roulette around level crossings.

That is the message from the State Government, which has released video of several shocking near misses between vehicles and trains across south-east Queensland.

There were 54 near misses in south-west Queensland in 2013.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said people were risking their lives by trying to save a few seconds on their commute.

"I'm urging people please be safe around our level crossings," he said. "I want to see no one taking their lives at risk, playing Russian roulette with trains.

"They are so lucky to be alive today.

"If not for a matter of seconds they could have been killed or very badly injured.

"You wonder why people put their lives at risk.

"They must be trying to save a couple of seconds to get from A to B."