Preventing The Tragedy Of Train-Car Collisions

This week we covered the tragic story of a mother and three daughters who were killed in a train car collision outside of Waterloo, Indiana. Only one of the daughter’s infant sons survived the crash, in which the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an oncoming freight train.

Unfortunately, hundreds of train-car collisions happen every year across the country. While the circumstances of the above car accident were out of the ordinary, many of the railroad track accidents that take lives each year in Indiana can be prevented.

Here are just a few safety tips that you can use to help prevent train-car collisions in the future:

• Never stop on train tracks. If there is a red light before the tracks, stop at least ten yards before the tracks so as to prevent becoming boxed in or trapped.
• Never assume that a train track is not in use. In many cases, a train-car collision will take place when a driver assumes that a track is unused or that trains only travel in one direction. However, train tracks use changes over time and you should never assume a railroad track is not in use.
• Report railroad safety features that are not working properly. A significant number of train-car collisions take place when a railroad warming light or safety arm malfunctions.
• Look and listen for trains in both directions. Use all of your sense to determine whether or not a track is clear of trains.
• Never try to beat a train across the tracks or go around railroad safety arms. There is absolutely reason to take a deadly risk like trying to race a train across the tracks.
• Understand that trains are wider than train tracks. This is especially important to realize when stopping before or after a set of tracks.
• Watch for second trains. In many cases, cars are hit by trains before they either didn’t see a second train coming or didn’t realize that a train was coming in the opposite direction.




Disclaimer

WHAT'S MY CASE WORTH?