MORE than 50 people are to appear in court following a blitz on motorists misusing level crossings in North Yorkshire.

And drivers spotted crossing railway lines while talking on mobile phones even when there was no train approaching are among those to be summonsed.

British Transport Police officers have been stationed at level crossings across the county, including Malton, Selby and Harrogate, as part of Operation Zebra.

A total of 53 people were stopped by police during June, many of whom drove across tracks while red lights were flashing.

Inspector Graham Breeze, of British Transport Police, said motorists could face fines, points on their licence and even disqualification when they appear before magistrates.

Those seen talking on mobile phones will face prosecution for driving without due care and attention.

"To the drivers its often just a minor transgression of the rules but they could end up in hospital or worse," he said.

And Insp Breeze added that motorists were also putting the lives of train staff and passengers at risk.

Tony Walton, Railtrack's assurance and safety manager, said the aim of the operation was to detect, prosecute and educate.

"Level crossings are perfectly safe if used properly, but some motorists choose to ignore the signals and take unnecessary risks often with tragic consequences," he said.

Last year saw the second lowest number of fatalities of level crossing users in a decade, but five people still died.

And there has been a 21 per cent increase in near misses in recent years.

One motorist miraculously cheated death at a level crossing at Church Fenton, near Tadcaster, last year when his car was hit by a Northern Spirit train travelling at 80mph.

His car was written off in the collision.