Fatalities at Ohio railroad crossings more than doubled in 2015, and that's raising large concerns.
Fatalities jumped from 4 in 2014 to 12 in 2015. What startles railroad authorities is that many train versus car crashes occur when there are functioning lights and gates, which were ignored by the driver. The average freight train takes 1 to 1.5 miles to stop after the emergency breaks have been applied. That equates to 18 football fields.
"We urge people, to if you see a railroad track, always take a second, look both ways, ya know, before you cross that intersection," commented Gina Shelton of Operation Lifesaver Ohio. "You have a great ability to be proactive about your safety."
There are trains running at anytime from any direction, so motorists and pedestrians are urged to stay alert when crossing tracks. If you see something that looks out of the ordinary with a crossing, whether it's a visibility issue or malfunctioning signal, contact railroad authorities. Blue highway department signs have been put on all crossings in Ohio. They have an 800 number that goes directly to the railroad company that owns the tracks.
