Why U.S. Train Intersections Are So Dangerous, And How You Can Avoid A Disaster With Trains

The United States is home to more than 253,000 railroad crossings. Over 154,000 of these intersect public roads. Trains have the right of way at crossings -- they can take over 1 mile to stop -- which means motorists, pedestrians and bikers all must pay attention to whether a train may be approaching.

Of course, there are safety nets at play -- crossbuck signs, safety gates, flashing lights. But a surprising number of crossings have no safety warnings at all, and those that do may not be effective enough.

Hundreds Die Each Year

A train collides with a motor vehicle about every 120 minutes in the United States, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Because of a train's size and speed, a motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash with a train, as opposed to a crash with another vehicle.

In 2004 alone, there were 3,045 train-related accidents resulting in 368 deaths and over 1,070 serious injuries, according to the Angels on Track Foundation, a non-profit organization that awards grants to highway authorities for railroad grade safety upgrades.

The Foundation was founded by Dennis and Vicky Moore after their 16-year-old son Ryan was killed by a train at a crossing with no gates, lights or stop signs.

The accidents that occurred in 2004 are typical. There were similar accidents, deaths and injuries in 2001, 2002 and 2003 as well.

There are railroad crossings in all 49 continental states. The five states with the most crossings are:

Texas

Illinois

California

Kansas

Ohio

Seeing how widespread railways are, you may find the following statistics from the Angels on Track Foundation surprising:

About 80 percent of public railroad crossings have neither lights nor warning gates, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

About 45 percent of public crossings have crossbucks.

Only 23 percent of public crossings have gates (even though gates have been found to be 80-90 percent more effective than crossbucks and stop signs).

When asked to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Railroad Sub-Committee, Vicky Moore had this to say:

"The rules need to change. The laws need to change. There are no federal laws pertaining to sight distance clearance for public safety. The railroads are responsible for clearing vegetation from their right of way, 600 feet in both directions on every public road in the state of Ohio. They're just words on paper because it's not enforced, and it's not done, and lives are lost almost every day. Every year, an average of 300 people are killed at railroad crossings in the United States. That's almost one every day of every year. Something has to be done."

Signal Malfunctions Cost Lives

In a computer analysis of government records conducted by the New York Times, it was found that from 1999 to 2003 there were "at least 400 grade-crossing accidents in which signals either did not activate or were alleged to have malfunctioned."

As a result of these accidents, at least 45 people lost their lives and another 130 were injured. Railroads have also filed an additional 2,300 reports since 2000 warning of serious signal malfunctions such as a short signal or no signal at all.

Part of the problem may be that, according to Federal rules, railroads are required to maintain signals on their own tracks (they're also required to clear vegetation from tracks around public roads so drivers can see an approaching train).

But whether or not the signals and gates are kept up to par has some experts worried.

For instance, the Federal Railroad Administration inspected 199 rail crossings maintained by CSX railroad company (prompted by an accident that occurred because a signal had been out for maintenance, killing a husband and wife) in 2004.

Nearly half of the crossings had defects. Most were "relatively minor" but 12 crossings had serious problems.

"My concern is that this is just the tip of the iceberg," said James E. Hall, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. "If we had that type of record in aviation, it would be unacceptable."

11 Key Safety Tips at Railroad Crossings

Because you can't always count on a warning signal to announce an oncoming train, you must pay careful attention anytime you cross railroad tracks. Here are some tips that could, quite literally, save your life:

Expect a train will be coming.

Always obey warning signals, lights and gates.

When you begin to cross the tracks, make sure there's room for you to cross completely before having to stop again.

Don't get trapped on the tracks.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out of the vehicle, move a safe distance away, then call for help.

Don't trespass, play or walk near railroad tracks.

An oncoming train can be like an optical illusion -- it's nearly impossible to judge its speed or distance away.

Don't try to beat a train across the tracks.

Look both ways before crossing -- a train can come from either direction.

You cannot always hear a train coming. If you cannot clearly see down the track, roll down your window and listen.

Approach every railroad crossing with caution -- don't assume it will be clear.

Please pass this article on to every vehicle driver (and bicycle, and pedestrian) you know, ESPECIALLY younger drivers who are among the leading victims of accidents with trains.