Coming in pairs...
Last Sunday, there were similar train accidents in Gary, Indiana and here in Jacksonville that each claimed two lives.
In both cases, the drivers apparently went around the properly-functioning crossing gates, apparently thinking the gates were down for a stopped (in Indiana) or slow-moving (Florida) freight, only to be hit by a passenger train on another track at the crossing.
I'd note immediately that it's very dangerous to assume you see "the train" at multi-track crossings. This has been a problem for the railroads for a long time. Folks, if there's more than one track, it usually means the railroad thinks there will sometimes be more than one train.
Beyond that, my only thoughts are on general rail-safety issues.
Locally, some people have demanded extending the gate at the Jacksonville accident site to block both traffic lanes when it's down. This demand always troubles me--what someone making such a demand is really saying is, "people can't be responsible--we need a device to get in the way." The problem is that such gates can conceivably block cars on the tracks, and, if the gate is malfunctioning, it precludes people going around the gates with proper, official direction or in an emergency.
In any case, some general advice bears repeating: if the gates are down, wait for the train to pass. Yes, you may be waiting a few minutes--the gates are designed to go down in time to make sure you're not on the tracks when the train gets there and trains don't always move at top speed on a given stretch of track. It's still best to wait. If there doesn't seem to be a train, turn around and use another crossing. If you really, really must use a given crossing, it's malfunctioning, and there's no official directing traffic--some people (I'd be tempted to join that group) would say not even then, and, then, bear in mind this is both possibly illegal (there may be exceptions for broken gates, but I'm not well enough versed in the laws on that point) with heavy fines (I believe $1500 here in Florida) and at least somewhat dangerous anyway--stop, roll down your window, turn down the radio, and listen and look extremely carefully (if there's a lit signal on the line--whether green, yellow, or red--in many places that alone can mean a train is nearby). In any case, if you see a crossing malfunctioning, call the railroad that owns the crossing and let them know (the number can be found on the crossing gate--this is ten times more important if you should see a crossing gate up when a train is approaching or passing or if you see a gate that's physically broken--it's rare, but I've seen both).
Remember--the weight ratio between a 100-car freight train and your car is roughly the ratio between your car and a soda can. Such a freight train, traveling 60 MPH, can likely stop within its own length (not something your car can do)--but since the train is more than a mile long, chicken games are still ill-advised.
(OK--I'll get off my rail-safety high-horse now.)
In both cases, the drivers apparently went around the properly-functioning crossing gates, apparently thinking the gates were down for a stopped (in Indiana) or slow-moving (Florida) freight, only to be hit by a passenger train on another track at the crossing.
I'd note immediately that it's very dangerous to assume you see "the train" at multi-track crossings. This has been a problem for the railroads for a long time. Folks, if there's more than one track, it usually means the railroad thinks there will sometimes be more than one train.
Beyond that, my only thoughts are on general rail-safety issues.
Locally, some people have demanded extending the gate at the Jacksonville accident site to block both traffic lanes when it's down. This demand always troubles me--what someone making such a demand is really saying is, "people can't be responsible--we need a device to get in the way." The problem is that such gates can conceivably block cars on the tracks, and, if the gate is malfunctioning, it precludes people going around the gates with proper, official direction or in an emergency.
In any case, some general advice bears repeating: if the gates are down, wait for the train to pass. Yes, you may be waiting a few minutes--the gates are designed to go down in time to make sure you're not on the tracks when the train gets there and trains don't always move at top speed on a given stretch of track. It's still best to wait. If there doesn't seem to be a train, turn around and use another crossing. If you really, really must use a given crossing, it's malfunctioning, and there's no official directing traffic--some people (I'd be tempted to join that group) would say not even then, and, then, bear in mind this is both possibly illegal (there may be exceptions for broken gates, but I'm not well enough versed in the laws on that point) with heavy fines (I believe $1500 here in Florida) and at least somewhat dangerous anyway--stop, roll down your window, turn down the radio, and listen and look extremely carefully (if there's a lit signal on the line--whether green, yellow, or red--in many places that alone can mean a train is nearby). In any case, if you see a crossing malfunctioning, call the railroad that owns the crossing and let them know (the number can be found on the crossing gate--this is ten times more important if you should see a crossing gate up when a train is approaching or passing or if you see a gate that's physically broken--it's rare, but I've seen both).
Remember--the weight ratio between a 100-car freight train and your car is roughly the ratio between your car and a soda can. Such a freight train, traveling 60 MPH, can likely stop within its own length (not something your car can do)--but since the train is more than a mile long, chicken games are still ill-advised.
(OK--I'll get off my rail-safety high-horse now.)
posted by John at 3/14/2007 03:20:00 AM
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