Stop. Trains Can’t: Rail Safety Tips That Save Lives

Think you can outrun a train? Think again. From September 12 through December 14, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will team up with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Stop. Trains Can’t safety campaign. The three agencies want to remind drivers to yield or stop at highway-rail grade crossings and to be alert for approaching light rail transit. The campaign’s focus is to help reduce collisions, deaths, and injuries at freight and commuter train and rail transit train crossings. This campaign will coincide with Rail Safety Week, which will take place September 19-25, 2022.

With approximately 140,000 miles of railway tracks in the U.S., we are at some point going to cross train tracks, whether it is in a car or as a pedestrian. When it is done on a daily basis, it may even become commonplace, but what is never commonplace is the potential risk.

In the United States and elsewhere being hit by a train is not an isolated event. In the U.S., a train hits a vehicle or a person every three hours. While a dramatic improvement from the 12,000 train-vehicle collisions in 1972, there were still 2,145 train-vehicle collisions in 2021. That is 2,145 too many.

Did You Know?

Trying to beat a train can be deadly. According to FRA, between 2017 and 2021, there were 7,919 collisions between freight and commuter trains and motor vehicles, resulting in 620 fatalities and 2,965 people injured at public rail grade crossings. In 2021, there was 2,145 collisions overall at public and private crossings, resulting in 236 fatalities and 668 people injured.  More than 50 percent of the people who die while walking on railroad tracks have alcohol or drugs in their system. 95 percent of all rail-related deaths involve drivers trying to beat a train, or people trespassing on railroad tracks.

Trying to beat a train can be deadly. According to FRA, between 2017 and 2021, there were 7,919 collisions between freight and commuter trains and motor vehicles, resulting in 620 fatalities and 2,965 people injured at public rail grade crossings. In 2021, there was 2,145 collisions overall at public and private crossings, resulting in 236 fatalities and 668 people injured.  More than 50 percent of the people who die while walking on railroad tracks have alcohol or drugs in their system. 95 percent of all rail-related deaths involve drivers trying to beat a train, or people trespassing on railroad tracks.

With 95 percent of these crashes due to human error trying to beat a train or trespassing, reducing the number of fatalities even further is very possible. One organization in particular that is focused on reducing fatalities and injuries around train tracks is Operation Lifesaver. With a national network of volunteers, Operation Lifesaver is spreading the word on keeping people safe around the tracks and railway crossings.

10 Tips for Safety

Operation Lifesaver has put together a number of common-sense tips when you are driving or walking where train tracks are located. Here are a few when you are driving:

• The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
• Trains and cars don’t mix. Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.
• 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 equal to 18 football fields!
• Never drive around lowered gates — it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping.

There are also tips specifically for pedestrians. Here are a few of those:

• The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crosswalk, flashing red lights or a gate. Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.
• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.
• Trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet in both directions; loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are in the right-of-way next to the tracks, the train can still hit you.
• Flashing red lights indicate a train is approaching from either direction. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing, and DO NOT cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it’s safe to do so.
• Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.

See Tracks? Think Train!

The main train educational effort by Operation LifeSaver is See Tracks? Think Train! The message is designed to have a pedestrian or driver focus on safety when near train tracks. See Tracks? Think Train! uses a comprehensive campaign of radio, television, print and billboards to educate drivers and pedestrians and encourage them to use caution when approaching trains. It is a reminder that we all need to remain alert to our surroundings near the tracks. Most trains today are freight trains and they do not follow set schedules, so when you see tracks, always expect a train, and then act accordingly.

For more information on train safety, check out the Operation Lifesaver website or the Federal Railroad Administration. Below, you can watch one of the See Tracks? Think Train! PSAs.