Play It Safe
Train travel is exciting and fun. But playing around trains and train tracks can be very dangerous. Here are some important things you should know.
1) Trains take longer to stop - Traveling at 55 miles per hour, it takes a car 200 feet to come to a stop. School buses require 230 feet. Trains are very big, and very heavy. It takes a train 5,280 feet to stop.
2) Trains don't swerve - Trains are on a track and cannot move out of the way if something is obstructing the tracks. Chances are, if there is something on the track, by the time the engineer sees it, there won't be enough room or enough time to stop. Never walk or play on train tracks.
3) Train gates are warnings - A train gate in the down position is a warning that a train is coming. Too often, people are killed when they try to "go around" a train gate because they don't realize that the train won't be able to stop (or swerve) to avoid hitting them. Never go around a train gate that is down.
4) Trains are wider than the tracks - Trains are actually wider than the tracks that they travel on. It's fun to watch trains go by, but remember that a train hangs over the tracks by 3 feet on each side. Never stand too close to the train tracks or you could get hurt.
5) Trespassing is Dangerous and Illegal - Walking or playing on train tracks is considered trespassing and is not only dangerous, but it is against the law. Avoid playing around train tracks.
6) Never place objects on train tracks - If a train hits something on the track (like a rock or a coin) it could shoot out from under the wheel like a speeding bullet and possibly hit someone, causing injury or death. Never place objects on train tracks.
Remember - If you are near railroad tracks, stay alert, listen for trains, and stay away.
For more information and safety tips visit Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen & Live.