MARCH 21, 2015
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
The number of deaths and injuries involving train collisions
and pedestrian deaths has increased in Missouri from 2013 to 2014.
The data takes into account collisions caused by crossing
vehicles and trespassing pedestrians. There were 20 pedestrian casualties in
2014, up 25% from 2013. Vehicle-train collisions at crossings remained the same
in 2014 with 48 crashes and two fatalities.
"We are glad to see a low number of highway-rail grade
crossing fatalities for a second consecutive year, but are concerned with the
increase in trespassing casualties on railroad tracks and property in
Missouri," Rick Mooney, Missouri Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator,
said in a statement. "Educating the public to reduce trespassing injuries
and fatalities continues to be a challenge.
The tracks are not a place to walk
or play."
As a part of the "See Tracks? Think Train!"
campaign, Operation Lifesaver has released tips for staying safe around train
tracks:
·
Never drive or walk around lowered gates
·
Never race a train to the crossing
·
Only drive over crossings if you are sure you
can clear the tracks
·
Do not trespass on railroad property
·
Remember trains cannot stop quickly - it can
take a mile or more to stop
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NTSB TO HOLD FORUM ON THE DANGERS OF RAILROAD TRESPASSING
MARCH 11, 2015
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WASHINGTON, DC
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a
public forum March 24-25 on the dangers of trespassing on the railroad
right-of-way.
While railroad tracks have long held a cultural resonance
with Americans, featured in motion pictures, TV shows, music videos and
photography, they are private property. And they can be a deadly place.
In 2013, 476 people were killed and 432 were injured in trespassing accidents,
according to preliminary data from the Federal Railroad Administration.
The forum, Trains and Trespassing: Ending Tragic
Encounters, will be chaired by NTSB Board Member Robert L. Sumwalt. It will
feature speakers who have been seriously injured by trains; those whose
communities have been affected; and railroad employee assistance program
employees whose train crews have struck people on railroad property. The
forum will draw on the expertise of railroads, regulators, and researchers,
among others, to review the diversity of trespassing accidents and incidents
and look at current and future prevention strategies.
The forum will be held at the NTSB's Board Room and
Conference Center, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.
However, on March 25, the forum will include a tour of Norfolk Southern’s
safety train at Union Station.
More information about the forum can be found here:
http://www.ntsb.gov/trespassing
The public can view the forum in person or by live webcast
on the NTSB's website. As soon as they are available, an agenda and webcast
details will be posted.
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