FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

MISSISSIPPI OPERATION LIFESAVER, INC.
MARILYN B. DAVIS - COORDINATOR
P. O. BOX 26
PETAL, MS 39465
601-484-4744
FAX 601-584-6445
msoplifsvr@aol.com

OR VISIT OPERATION THE LIFESAVER WEB SITE AT

http://www.operationlifesaver.com/

FACTS

• In 1999, at least 399 people were killed and 1,360 seriously injured in 3,420 highway-rail grade crossing collisions (combined for public and private crossings).
• At least 467 people were killed and 433 were injured while trespassing on railroad rights-of- way and property.
• Approximately every two hours, either a vehicle or a pedestrian is struck by a train in the United States. That’s 12 incidents each day!
• A motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle.
• There are approximately 260,000 public, private and pedestrian at-grade highway-rail crossings in the United States.
• More people die in highway-rail grade crossing crashes in the United States each year than in all commercial and general aviation crashes combined.
• Nearly 50 percent of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (gates, lights, bells).
• Most crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist’s home.
• Trains CANNOT stop quickly.
  Average freight train stopping distance:
  55 mph = a mile or more or 18 football fields!
  8-car passenger train stopping distance:
  79 mph = a mile or more or 18 football fields!
• The majority of highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling less than
  30 mph.

• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal – trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.
  
  (*Preliminary 1999 Federal Railroad Administration statistics from Operation Lifesaver)
  

Highway-Rail Terms

• Highway-Rail Grade Crossing  The general area where a roadway crosses a railway, an at-grade crossing of the roadway and the railway.

• Public Grade Crossing A highway-rail grade crossing where the roadway is under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority.

• Private Grade Crossing An at-grade crossing where the highway is privately owned and is intended for use by the owner or by the owner's licensees and invitees. It is not intended for public use and is not maintained by a public highway authority.

Approximate Number of Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
Public - 158,719
Private - 100,716

Mississippi Statistics

data from Federal Railroad Administration

• Federal figures for 1998 show Mississippi ranks 8th in the nation in the number of collisions at highway-rail intersections..
• In 1998 Mississippi ranked 7th in the nation in the number of fatalities at highway-rail intersections.
• Preliminary figures for 1999 show Mississippi ranks 3rd in the nation in the number of injuries at highway-rail intersections.
• Preliminary figures for 1999 show Mississippi ranks 8th in the nation in the number of fatalities at highway-rail intersections.

Driving Tips

• Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
• Never race a train to the crossing – even if you tie, you lose.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
• If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and far away from the tracks. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
• At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.
• ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
• Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That’s 18 football fields!
• Do not be fooled by the optical illusion – the train you see is closer and faster moving than you think. If you see a train approaching, wait for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
  

Track Facts & Tips

• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal – trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.
• There are 200,000 miles of railroad tracks in the United States.
• Since 1990, more than 5,000 people have been killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.
• Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train moving at 55 miles per hour, or an 8-car passenger train moving at 79 miles per hour, can take a mile or more to stop.
• DO NOT walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
• DO NOT hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges – there is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass.
• DO NOT attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb, or your life.
• ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Trains DO NOT follow set schedules.
• REMEMBER: rails and recreation DO NOT mix!
  

Information on this page from Operation Lifesaver

August 15, 2000