Why Trains Are More Dangerous to Pedestrians Than You Think
Hundreds of people die each year in preventable accidents
David Arv Bragi (October 20, 2015)
Strolling along a ribbon of rail may sound like a picturesque way to spend a lazy afternoon. But it’s actually illegal — and it can be deadly.
Train tracks and the right-of-way surrounding them are private property owned by the railroad. Trespassing is the main cause of railroad-related deaths, according to Joyce Rose, president of Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a nonprofit rail safety education organization. “It’s a stubborn safety issue. The number of fatal trespassing accidents has risen every year since 2011,” she says.
On average, 458 trespassing pedestrians die each year, often while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. “There are people who love railroads and trains and they’re a part of the American mystique,” says Rose. “Some people think that tracks are safer than walking alongside of a highway, which just isn’t true.”
Related: Train Safety for Drivers and Riders
Just what makes them so dangerous to pedestrians?
Read more at: http://www.safebee.com/travel/why-trains-are-more-dangerous-pedestrians-you-think