Right on track

Regardless of how you do the math, ignoring the signals and disregarding safety at a railway crossing is a deadly equation.

According to Operation Lifesaver, a national public education program to reduce loss of life and injuries on the tracks, the average locomotive weighs 110 tonnes. The average car however weighs only two tonnes. It takes a train travelling at 100 kilometres per hour the length of 14 football fields to come to a complete stop. What it all adds up to is that you are 40 times more likely to die in a train collision than in a collision with another motor vehicle!

Every year, Canadians die needlessly in rail crossing and trespassing accidents. In 2004, 25 people lost their lives and 50 were seriously injured in collisions with trains.

Maybe our familiarity with trains has translated into a false sense of security. According to Operation Lifesaver, most crashes occur within 40 kilometres of the motorist’s home. Research conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary also found that many drivers involved in collisions with trains were familiar with the crossings and had used them regularly. This familiarity may encourage drivers to take greater risks such as driving around active gates or trying to beat the train.

Familiarity, however, is only part of the problem. For example, why do 50 per cent of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices such as gates, lights, and bells?

Gary Drouin from Direction 2006, says people often underestimate the speed of a train. "Because of the angle of approach and size of the train, it appears that the train’s speed is slower than it really is. When the bells start ringing the train will be at the crossing in approximately 22 seconds," added Mr. Drouin. "And the impact of a train/car collision is the equivalent of a car driving over a pop can."

Direction 2006 is a partnership between government, railway companies, public safety organizations, police, unions and community groups whose objective is to reduce grade crossing collisions.

Some people still believe it is easy to tell which set of tracks a train is on and which direction it is travelling when, in reality, a train can appear at any time. This is why listening for warning bells and whistles is so important. According to Mr. Drouin, "All crossings are safe if you obey the warning signs. It is when you don’t respect them that tragedy occurs."

Respecting the warning signs begins with turning off distractions like radios, fans and heaters. Asking the kids to be quiet until the crossing is safely passed, and opening the window to help you hear are also suggested. Never attempt to drive under a gate as it is closing, or around a closed gate. If your car stalls on the crossing and a train is approaching or the warning devices start, get your passengers and yourself out of the car quickly and run down the road away from the crossing. Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible and the 800 number posted on the crossing. Do not try to start your vehicle or push it off the tracks.

Operation Lifesaver’s staff and volunteers have designed a number of presentations geared to specific age groups to help people of all ages be aware of the dangers around railway tracks. Approximately 2,000 presentations are delivered annually across Canada by over 500 certified volunteer presenters — to schools, youth clubs, driver associations and community groups.

Preventing tragedy begins with learning about what you can do to stay safe. You can read more about rail safety by visiting Transport Canada’s Rail Safety website, the Direction 2006 site, or the Operation Lifesaver website.