It may seem easy to avoid a collision with a 200-ton locomotive. Yet the fact is that a vehicle or pedestrian is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S., according to Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit group that promotes railroad safety. Follow these tips and use extra caution the next time you’re at a railroad crossing:
Behind The Wheel
- Trains always win: they always get the right of way, don’t follow set schedules and can move in any direction. Always expect a train.
- Trains can be deceptive, too. Because of the size of a freight train, it’s moving faster and is closer than you think. Plus, trains are quieter than ever, so lower your radio and listen closely as you approach a crossing.
- Even if the engineer sees you, a train can take up to a mile to stop once the emergency brakes are applied.
- Although you’ve seen it in action movies, never try to beat a train or drive around lowered gates. Even after a train passes, wait for the gates to rise completely, since another train could be coming from the other direction.
If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks, exit immediately and run away from the tracks toward where the train is coming from. If you run in the same direction as the train, it could push your vehicle and debris toward you.
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