Did you know that every two hours a vehicle or pedestrian is struck by a train?  Or that you are 20 times more likely to die in a vehicle crash with a train than you are to die in a two-vehicle crash?  Or that 50 percent of the fatalities in Missouri last year resulted from motorists driving around gates at active warning devices?

Those are just three important reasons why MoDOT joined forces with several agencies to kick off a campaign last month promoting rail safety. The campaign also got the support of Gov. Matt Blunt, who declared April 22-28 as Rail Safety Week in Missouri at a news conference held on board an antique Union Pacific lounge car on April 25.

“Missourians enjoy the many benefits of rail transportation,” Blunt said, “and it is important to respect the measures designed to help keep our transportation systems safe.”

Also at the news conference was Lt. Col. Richard Coffey, assistant superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He reminded motorists to Look, Listen and Live!

"Missouri is currently experiencing a 24 percent decrease statewide in traffic deaths when compared to the same time period in 2006,” said Lt. Col. Coffey, assistant superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Special attention and safety around rail crossings by motorists and pedestrians can help continue the reduction in traffic deaths throughout the year." 

Meanwhile, personnel from MoDOT, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Operation Lifesaver, local law enforcement agencies and railroads traveled to various public grade crossings during Rail Safety Week, passing out tips for crossing railroad tracks safely. This activity, which will continue throughout the fall across Missouri, is part of the Positive Enforcement Program – an educational awareness program aimed at helping Missourians make safe decisions at railroad crossings and around railroad tracks and properties.

“With more than 4,000 miles of railroad track, 3,800 public crossings and 3,000 private crossings, rail safety is an important issue in Missouri,” said Rod Massman, MoDOT’s administrator of railroads. “We are stepping up our efforts to educate motorists about rail safety to reduce injuries and save lives.”

Between 2005 and 2006, the number of people injured or killed while walking on railroad tracks or other unauthorized areas of railroad property rose. There were 11 fatal trespassing injuries in 2006, compared to seven in 2005. During the same time period, the number of rail-highway public crossing collisions decreased from 62 to 58 and fatalities fell from 17 to six in Missouri. So far in 2007, there have been 11 collisions and four fatalities.

Sidebar:

Railroad Crossing Safety Tips

• Never drive around lowered gates. It’s illegal and deadly.

• Never race a train to the crossing. Even if you tie, you lose.
• Don’t get trapped on the tracks. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on each side.
• Get out of your vehicle if it stalls. Quickly walk away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle, but in the direction the train is coming from so flying debris won’t injure you. Call your local law enforcement agency and/or the toll-free number posted at the crossing for help.
• Watch out for a second train at a multiple track crossing.

• Expect a train on any track at any time.

• Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. 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!
• Don’t be fooled. The train you see is closer and is moving faster than you think.
• Cross train tracks at a designated crossing only. Remember that it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from the rail.