HIGHWAY-RAIL FACTS
- In 2004, at least 368 people were killed and 1,071 were seriously injured in 3,050 highway-rail grade crossing collisions (combined for public and private crossings).
- At least 483 people were killed and 398 were injured while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.
- In the United States of America, approximately every two hours either a vehicle or a pedestrian is struck by a train. That’s 12 tragic incidents each day.
- A motorist is 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle. (Based on U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) statistics from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Railroad Administration.)
- There are approximately 241,500 public, private and pedestrian at-grade highway-rail crossings in the United States. (A total of 147,000 are public crossings; 94,500 are private crossings.)
- More people die in highway-rail grade crossing crashes and railroad trespassing incidents in the United States each year than in all commercial and general aviation crashes combined. (Based on U.S. DOT statistics)
- Nearly 50 percent of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (gates, lights, bells).
- Three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist’s home. Fifty percent of all crashes occur within five miles of home. (Based on NHTSA statistics.)
- Trains CANNOT stop quickly.
- Average freight train stopping distance:
- 55 mph = a mile or more or at least 18 football fields!
- 8-car passenger train stopping distance:
- 79 mph = a mile or more or at least 18 football fields!
- Nearly half of all highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling less than 30 mph.
- Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal – trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.
* Source: U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration unless otherwise indicated.
OL DRIVING TIPS
- ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules. Passenger train schedules change.
- Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, look for an emergency notification number posted on or near the crossing signal, or notify your local law enforcement agency.
- Never race a train to the crossing – even if you tie, you lose.
- Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides. A safe stopping distance from the tracks is 15 feet.
- If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and far away from the tracks. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
- Do not be fooled by the optical illusion – the train you see may be closer and faster moving than it appears to be. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
- At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.
- Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That’s 18 football fields!
TRACK FACTS & TIPS
- Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal – trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.
- There are approximately 233,000 miles of railroad track in the United States*.
- Since 1994, almost 5,100 people have been killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property**.
- The ONLY legal and safe place to cross tracks is at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
- Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train moving at 55 miles per hour, or an 8-car passenger train moving at 79 miles per hour, can take a mile or more to stop.
- DO NOT walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels.
- DO NOT walk, jog, hunt, fish or bungee jump on railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges – there is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass.
- DO NOT attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb, or your life.
- ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains DO NOT follow set schedules. Passenger train schedules change.
- REMEMBER: rails and recreation DO NOT mix!
*Source: Association of American Railroads
**Source: Federal Railroad Administration
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