After four people were killed over the July Fourth weekend on Missouri train tracks, officials are reminding pedestrians about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.
Three of the incidents occurred in the City of St. Louis and one in Ralls County near Hannibal.
“Collisions between vehicles or pedestrians and trains are tragic, but preventable,” said Tim Hull, Missouri Operation Lifesaver state coordinator. “Railroad tracks are private property and trespassing is dangerous, illegal and it can be deadly. If you see tracks, think train.”
In 2015, there were 25 trespass incidents resulting in 15 fatalities and seven serious injuries in the state. To date in 2016, there have been 12 trespass incidents resulting in six fatalities and four serious injuries.
According to Operation Lifesaver, a national nonprofit rail safety education organization, a person or vehicle is hit by a train approximately every three hours across the United States. Trains move faster and are much quieter than people think. Trains can’t stop quickly, they can’t swerve to avoid someone or something on the tracks and they overhang the tracks by at least three feet in both directions.
The public is reminded of the following safety tips:
• Do not walk on or over railroad property — this is trespassing.
• Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.
• Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first.
• Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing.
• Stay alert around trains. No texting, earbuds or other distractions.
• Never mix rails and recreation. Do not hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad bridges or trestles.
• Do not attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time.
• Do not take selfies or posed photography on or near tracks or railroad bridges.
• Be aware trains do not follow set schedules.
“A simple rule to follow around railroad property is, ‘stay off, stay away, stay alive,”‘ Hull said.