Everyday expressions like “buckle up,” “look both ways” and “don’t talk to strangers” commonly roll off parents’ tongues, but there’s one important topic that parents rarely discuss with their kids: railroad safety. According to a recent study conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide – a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries – fewer than half the parents surveyed have initiated conversations with their children about how to stay safe around railroad tracks. This despite the fact that every five days, a child between the ages of 0 and 19 is killed in a train collision. The risky behaviors that contribute to this startling statistic range from walking on or near the tracks to riding in a vehicle that drives around the crossing gates. Every five days, a child between the ages of 0 and 19 is killed in a train collision. The nationwide survey of more than 1,000 parents of children younger than 18 years old uncovered a number of noteworthy patterns, including a lack of awareness among parents regarding the likelihood and severity of rail-related tragedies. “The information we gathered is crucial in helping shed light on this topic and live up to our mission of protecting all members of our community,” said Morag MacKay, director of research at Safe Kids Worldwide. Just as troubling was the number of parents who admitted to taking risks around railroad operations, with half indicating they have engaged in unsafe behavior, such as walking, sitting, standing on or near railroad tracks. This behavior not only is dangerous, it’s trespassing. “Children look to their parents as role models and don’t recognize these behaviors are misguided and illegal,” MacKay said.
See also: https://oli.org/about-us
About Us
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a non-profit organization and nationally-recognized leader of rail safety education. Since 1972, OLI remains committed to preventing collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings, with the support of public education programs in states across the U.S.
Our History
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See also: Selfie Tragedy Forever Impacts Those Left Behind https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/selfie-tragedy-12-7-2016.htm
“Essa Ricker and Kelsea Webster, both 15, and Kelsea’s little sister, Savannah, waved at a westbound train crew and squeezed in for a selfie as it rolled through Utah’s scenic Spanish Fork Canyon October 2011.
"Standing right by a train ahaha this is awesome!!!!" posted Savannah on Facebook as the train's steel wheels banged along the track's steel rail.
The excitement in the trio's eyes matched their big smiles as the train fanned their blonde hair in the wind while they posed for the selfie—completely unaware of the approaching train coming from the other direction. The train's headlights were visible on the top right side of the photo.
"They were in their own little world," recalled John Anderson, train conductor inside the eastbound Union Pacific train locomotive. Engineer Michael Anderson, no relation to John, blasted the train horn to get the girls' attention. No response. Not even a flinch.
...
Life was never the same again. Not for the parents who buried three girls with big smiles and bright futures. And not for the men who silently mourned the same children.
The crew's railroad family welcomed the men when they returned to work. Co-workers were supportive and stressed the accident was not their fault. John found comfort in talking to co-workers, which slowly released the accident's strong grip inside him. Michael did not talk about the accident, and his fellow railroaders respected his space. The locomotive engineer recently became a peer support volunteer to help train crews who experience traumatic incidents.
Asked what he'd say to teens thinking about taking selfies or any photo near railroad tracks, Michael responded, "I'd tell them to stay away from such a dangerous area. Think about the pain it would inflict on their families if things went wrong. It also hurts the train crew, the first responders and the many people who love you."
“No one should have to go through this and I hope people will seriously think about the campaign’s rail safety message and share it with their loved ones.”
Jayna Webster”
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See also: 1 man dead, woman in critical condition after Amtrak train hits truck in Kenner BY MICHELLE HUNTER | Staff writer Published Nov 12, 2019 at 4:09 pm
“The truck's driver pulled around the railroad crossing gates, and the vehicle was hit by the train, Cunningham said.“
https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/article_279c08a4-0599-11ea-9dbd-cfb776edfe0b.html
