Operation Lifesaver®

We at the Federal Railroad Administration treat safety around the railroad very seriously. In fact, educating the public about railroad safety is one of our largest and most important outreach programs.

As a member of a growing number of certified Operation Lifesaver® presenters, our prime objective is to spread the message of rail-highway grade crossing safety and trespass prevention to school groups, civic organizations, and other interested parties.

Each year, hundreds of people die and thousands more are injured in crashes at highway-rail grade crossings or while trespassing on railroad property. Many people take trains "for granted" and because of that, they don't realize or comprehend the potential danger.

In 1998, New York State ranked third in the nation in deaths and injuries because of trespassing on railroad property.

Safety Reminders:

• Always Expect A Train -- on any track, at any time.
• Never try to "beat" or "race" a train to a grade crossing. Because of the large size of an approaching train, it will appear to be moving more slowly than it actually is. Remember -- if it's a tie at the crossing, you will lose!

  If you can see or hear a train approaching, you must stop -- it's the law! The crossbuck "X" sign must be treated like the "yield" sign -- motor vehicles and pedestrians must yield the right of way to any approaching train. Be sure to allow enough stopping distance when approaching a grade crossing, especially at night or when visibility is restricted. Begin to slow down when you see the round yellow advance warning sign.

• Don't become "boxed in" on a grade crossing. Never drive onto a grade crossing unless you are certain that you can drive all the way across and can clear the tracks. Once you've started across the tracks, keep moving!
• Never drive around a crossing gate that's down, or pass a flashing red signal! It's not only very dangerous, it's against the law!
• At a grade crossing where there are multiple tracks, don't start across as soon as the end of the train passes. Be absolutely sure that no other train is coming on another track; the first train may hide the approach of a second.
• If your vehicle stalls on the crossing, immediately get everyone out of the vehicle and away from the tracks. If a train is coming, stay clear of the tracks and run toward the approaching train (so that you won't be hit by flying debris). If no train is coming, post lookouts to watch for approaching trains while you try to start the vehicle or push it off the crossing. Notify the local emergency authorities (in most localities, dial 9-1-1).
• When approaching a crossing, be alert for vehicles which are required to stop before crossing. School buses, commercial buses, trucks hauling or carrying flammable or other hazardous materials must all come to a complete stop before crossing any grade crossing.
• Stay away from railroad tracks and railroad property. It's more than just dangerous -- you can be arrested and/or fined for trespassing.
  • Do not walk on or near the tracks or along the right-of-way. Also, never ride a bicycle, motorcycle, three-wheeler, snowmobile, or any other type of vehicle near the tracks.
  • Never place any objects on the track. Instead of running them over and flattening them, the train might shoot the objects out at you.
  • Stay away from railroad bridges and tunnels, where you could be left with no way to escape from an approaching train.
  • Never climb in, on, under, or around railroad cars. You could become trapped inside or fall from a car.
  • Don't stand too close to passing trains. If a metal strap or some other object is hanging from the side of a freight car, you could be seriously injured if it strikes you. Watch trains from a safe distance!

Railroad Safety Facts and Figures:

• Each year, more than 500 people are killed in highway-rail grade crossing crashes or by trespassing on railroad property. Thousands more people are injured.
• Every 90 minutes, a vehicle and train collide somewhere in the U.S.
  • In more than 50% of these crashes, active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, bells, or some combination of these) exist and are operating.
  • Most vehicle-train crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist's home.
  • A motorist is 30 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in any other highway crash.
• Because of its size and weight, it takes much longer to stop a moving train than it does a moving car, truck, or bus:

  TRAIN TYPE	TRAIN SPEED	STOPPING DISTANCE
  150 car freight	30 MPH	2/3 mile
  	50 MPH	1 1/2 miles
  8 car passenger	60 MPH	2/3 mile
  	79 MPH	1 1/8 miles

  The average 150 car freight train weighs more than 8000 tons. The average motor vehicle weighs less than one ton. (This weight ratio is roughly the same as your car's weight to a can of soda.) By the time the engineer of a moving train sees you or your car in the train's path, it is too late to avoid a crash -- the train will not stop quickly enough.

For More Information:

If you are interested in learning more about local (Rochester and its surrounding communities) Operation Lifesaver® activities, or if you would like to have an Operation Lifesaver® presentation at your school or civic group, please send us mail. Presentations are available for all age groups and audience sizes.

If you would like more information on Operation Lifesaver®, check out the National Operation Lifesaver® Home Page