| Posted by Dan I. on September 22, 2019 | |
During my 46 years of driving a truck from coast to coast of which I just retired, I have seen numerous collisions between trains and cars / trucks over the years especially in the last two decades. Drivers are too impatient to wait at grade crossings, intersections, and the like anymore. Seems like they are in a hurry all the time. I think that hurry-ness will get you or someone else killed, injured, or maimed for life. Another problem is texting and using a cellphone while driving. Just do not do it! I have still not forgot the young lady that hit the back of my trailer at 80 MPH because she was texting while driving on Interstate 70 just west of Denver. She is in a wheelchair for life. Drivers will not stop at a grade crossing and look both ways anymore to see if a train is coming. I have seen what a train will do to a car or truck at the moment of impact. The train absolutely crushes the vehicle. Look at the picture above. Think about it. Way too may lives being taken by careless driving these days.
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| Posted by Tom on September 22, 2019 | |
Well-written and timely comment. Mr. Ordun. Having been on several coroner's inquest juries, I have seen how a locomotive can absolutely crush whatever is in its path.
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| Posted by mmi16 on September 22, 2019 | |
Dump Rd. is a Private Crossing and is protected by cross bucks and a STOP Sign. Surveillance video showed the car approached the crossing obliquely facing the train and did not slow down or Stop.
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I am paranoid at railroad crossings. I love trains. But I also fear them at the same time. They are huge. Weight, inertia, etc... all of that work against a small car and human body. Stop. Look. Listen. Twice.
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My two-cents added to Dan. But if there is a marked police unit nearby and the would-be violator sees it - they'll sometimes stop at the crossing - even if the lights aren't activated. I can personally attest to that. They're afraid of a ticket - but will take chances with a deadly train - go figure....
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| Posted by xBNSFer on September 23, 2019 | |
Maybe every grade crossing should have a TRAFFIC LIGHT with a "red light camera" - might be the only way to overcome the stupidity of drivers willing to effectively play Russian Roulette in order to save (even with PSR's monster trains) what - THREE or FOUR minutes?!
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Great idea, xBNSFer!
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| Posted by mmi16 on October 20, 2019 | |
Despite humankind's best efforts - stupidity of a individual will defeat every attempt at keeping that individual from harm. This is such a incident.
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