My Operation Lifesaver Page

The photo below was taken at the scene of a grade crossing vehicle-train accident. Luckily this was a demonstration to show the force inflicted on a vehicle by a moving locomotive. This train was only going under 10mph!!

Here are a few statistics involving grade crossing incidnets.

• 1. In the US, approximately every 115 minutes a train collides with a person or a vehicle
• 2. Trains cannot stop quickly. Stopping distances after fully applying the brakes are as follows: Average freight train with 100 rail cars at 55 mph = a mile or more to stop. 8-car passenger train at 79 mph = about a mile to stop, or 18 football fields!
• 3. The majority of highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling less than 30 m.p.h..
• 4. More people die in highway-rail crashes each year than in commercial airline crashes in an average year.
• 5. There are approximately 260,000 highway-rail grade cossings in the United States

Please don't disregard the flashing lights or crossing gates at a public railroad crossing. It could cost you your life. Treat every crossing the same way you would when you cross a road. Look both ways when gates or lights are not in use. Remember a burnt out light bulb or malfunctioning gate may cost you your life.