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Railroad Crossing Safety |
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Waveland has approximately 2.7 miles of railway system running through the City with four Railroad Crossings. That doesn't sound like much, but take a look at the following statistics courtesy of Operation Lifeline. | ||||||||
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In 1999, 402 people were killed and 1,396 seriously injured in 3,489 highway-rail crossing collisions. |
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In 1999, 479 people were killed while trespassing on railroad right-of-way and property. |
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Approximately every 90 minutes, a vehicle and a train collide in the United States. |
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A motorist is 30 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than a crash involving another vehicle. | |||||||||
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More people die in highway-rail crashes each year than in commercial airline crashes in an average year. | |||||||||
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Most train-car crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist's home | |||||||||
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The majority of the highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling less than 30 m.p.h. | |||||||||
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A 150-car freight train's approximate stopping distance: 30 mph = 3,500 feet or 2/3 of a mile 50 mph = 8,000 feet or 1 1/2 miles |
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An 8-car passenger train's approximate stopping distance: 60 mph = 3,500 feet or 2/3 of a mile 79 mph = 6,000 feet or 1 1/8 miles |
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Driving tips |
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NEVER drive around lowered gates - It's illegal and deadly. |
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NEVER race a train to a crossing, you'll lose! | |||||||||
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Don't get trapped on a crossing. | |||||||||
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If your car stalls on a crossing, get yourself and any passengers out and away quickly! | |||||||||
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EXPECT a train from either direction, they don't run on set schedules. | |||||||||
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Lookout for the second train when crossing multiple tracks. | |||||||||
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Use caution at night, don't overdrive the range of your headlights. | |||||||||
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Turn your radio down and tell passengers to keep quiet when approaching a railroad crossing. | |||||||||
Remember - Look, Listen...and Live! |
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| For more information about railcrossing safety, please go to Operation Life Saver | ||||||||||
