Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.
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Injuries and deaths related to collisions with trains, how to prevent them?

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train-accident-prevention

Did you know that 95% of fatal train accidents were caused by vehicles at train crossings and pedestrians on tracks? Every 3 hours in the US someone is hit by a train. Most of these accidents are preventable.

According to preliminary Federal Rail Road Administration Statistics, 262 people died and 871 were injured in 2,296 collisions with trains in 2018 in the US. 2,217 collisions occurred at highway-rail grade crossings. Pedestrian rail trespassing resulted in 1015 causalities (fatalities and injuries).  California and Texas have the most accidents  for both highway-rail grade crossings and trespassing.  New York ranked number 4 of  all states with the most pedestrian trespassing causalities. 36 people died and 13 were injured while trespassing on New York railroads in 2018.

Tips for New York Pedestrians to stay safe near railroads

  • Only cross rails at designated public crossing or roadway crossing, any other area is considered trespassing
  • Do not go in a rail yard unless invited by a railroad official
  • Never go on the tracks unless it is a public crossing. It can takes up to one mile to stop a train so even if the train operators see you, you may still be hit.
  • Do not stand to close to the tracks. Trains overhang the track by at least 3 feet. Sometimes loose straps extend even further.
  • If you are crossing the tracks just after a train went through make sure that another is not right behind the first one.

Tips for drivers to avoid collision with trains

  • Do not drive around lowered gates
  • Never stop on a highway railroad crossing as you may get trapped. If necessary stop before crossing to make sure the road ahead is clear.
  • If your vehicle is stuck on the rail, immediately get out of the car and call the number provided on the Emergency Notification System sign.
  • Never stop closer than 15 feet to a rail track
  • Always expect a train. Freight trains do not follow set schedules.

Tips for train passengers to avoid accidents

  • Stay alert around train tracks and in stations
  • Mind the train overhang and don’t get to close to the platform hedge
  • Watch your step
  • Don’t risk your life by crossing train tracks illegally

Picture: free Toolkit from “See Tracks Think Train” Campaign

 

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