Elderly Man Involved in Bay Area Train Accident
AlertID News Media Contact
News Director, Thomas McAllsiter
Thomas.Mcallister@AlertIDinc.com
Elderly Man Involved in Bay Area Train Accident
HAYWARD, CA – JANUARY 7, 2015 – An elderly man’s vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train Tuesday morning after the driver attempted to go around the arms of the railroad crossing signal. Thankfully the 84 year old man and the passengers of the train went unharmed. The train, which was traveling from Sacramento to San Jose, was held at the scene until 9:24 a.m. while inspectors checked the track, according to Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham. -KNTV
In 2014 railroad transportation will account for nearly 600 million miles and more than 31 million unique passengers. The unfortunate statistic is that there have been approximately 620 railway deaths this year and nearly 96% of them are trespassing or crossing related. According to a Federal Railroad Administration Spokesperson, “Safety is our highest priority at the FRA. Trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America and we are addressing the problem directly through education. Working in partnership with Operation Lifesaver, local communities and other stakeholders our outreach and prevention efforts target schools, workplaces and community organizations to stress the need for greater awareness about the inherent dangers and consequences of trespassing.”
Utilize our easy to follow tips to keep you and your family safe when you’re near a highway-railway crossing:
- Always expect a train
Freight trains do not follow set schedules so you should always expect a train.
- Trains always have the right-of-way
Trains have the right-of-way at crossings over emergency vehicles, cars, the police and pedestrians. Motorists have to interpret warning signs, watch for dangerous conditions, determine if trains are approaching and estimate train speeds
- Trains and cars don’t mix
Never Race a train to the crossing – even if you tie, you lose. The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or 200 tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car. We all know what happens to a soda can hit by a car
- Never drive around lowered gates
Not only is this illegal, but it’s deadly. Call the 1-800 number posted near the crossing if you suspect a signal is malfunctioning
- Don’t get trapped on the tracks
Proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you’re sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three foot mark
- If your vehicle ever stalls on a track
Get out of the car immediately and move quickly away from the tracks.
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Sources:
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/ (Federal Railroad Administration: Office of Safety & Analysis)
http://oli.org/ (Operation Lifesafever: Rail Safety Education)
http://amtrak.com (National Railroad Passenger Corp., Amtrak)