In 2008, 263 people were killed in car accidents with trains. You are 40 times more likely to die in a car accident with a train than an accident with another car.
Almost half of all car accidents at railroad crossings occur at crossings that do not have safety equipment such as flashing lights, automatic gates. Trains, due to their size and weight, need more time and distance to stop than a car. A train traveling 50 mph needs 1 1/2 miles to stop.
Car and train accidents can be avoided by doing the following:
- Cross tracks at designated crossings
- Do not walk, run, cycle or ride ATVs on the railroad track
- If your car stalls on a railroad crossing, get out immediately and call the police
- Watch for a second train if you are crossing multiple railroad tracks
- Do not race a train to a railroad crossing
- Do not drive around or under lowered railroad gate
- Approach railroad intersection, like all intersections, with care and be ready to yield to the train
- Expect trains to run day and night and at anytime
To cross a railroad intersection safely, you should:
- Stop well away from the tracks
- Observe all warning devices and determine if lights, bells, or gates have been activated to indicate an approaching train
- If warning devices are not on, still look in both directions
- Listen for warning sounds such as train whistles or horns
- If you see a train coming, stop and do not cross the tracks until the train has passed
- Once it is safe, cross without delay and never stop on a railroad track
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 2:45 pm and is filed under Dallas Auto, Truck & Vehicle Accident Attorneys.
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