Do You Need Railroad Crossing Safety Tips?
Did you know that every three hours in America, either a person or a vehicle is hit by a train? These incidents typically happen at rail-grade crossings. That is why the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a national railroad crossing safety campaign. This campaign is meant to increase public awareness around railroad tracks and reduce crossing deaths and injuries. To help readers stay safe around railroad tracks, we are providing railroad crossing facts and railroad crossing safety tips.
We hope these tips help you stay safe around railroad tracks. If a railroad crossing accident injures you, seek medical help immediately. Once you have sought medical care, seek legal help from an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. You don’t have to worry about paying for a lawyer upfront. We work on a contingency basis. That means that our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers only get paid when you win. Don’t delay. Our experienced personal injury lawyers offer the knowledge and expertise you need to win the compensation you deserve.
You don’t have to face insurance companies and other parties who don’t have your best interests in mind. You need a top Las Vegas personal injury law firm to represent you – Anthem Injury Lawyers. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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Railroad Crossing Numbers
Railroad crossings are dangerous. How dangerous? Take a look at the following numbers provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation:
- The U.S. railroad system includes 775 railroads with 140,000 route miles of track. There are 209,000 at-grade railroad crossings.
- More than half (55 percent) of the crossings in the U.S. are active. This means the crossings have gates, bells, and/or flashing lights. The other crossings (45 percent) are passive with signs and markings, but no active warning devices.
- A train traveling 55 miles per hour takes 1 mile or more to stop.
- In 2020, 1,883 highway-rail-grade crossing collisions occurred.
- In 2019, there were 2,216-grade crossing incidents in 2019. This is up from 2,052 in 2010.
- Highway-rail grade crossing collisions and pedestrian trespass on tracks together account for over 95 percent of all railroad fatalities.
- From 2012 to 2016, 1,225 people died while trying to cross railroad tracks.
- In 2016, there were 2,041 railroad crossing incidents.
- In 2016, 264 people died while trying to cross railroad tracks.
Railroad safety is everyone’s priority. If you are the victim in a railroad accident, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. Las Vegas Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers and case managers. We offer you the benefit of our experience as top personal injury lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t get paid unless you win compensation. Based in Henderson, Nevada, we work with clients all over the Las Vegas area. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation. If you are severely injured don’t worry – we can come to you to discuss your case.
When you need a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer that can provide decades of experience, there’s one law firm to call – Anthem Injury Lawyers. Call now: (702) 857-6000
Railroad Crossing Safety Tips for Drivers
Railroad crossings are dangerous for drivers. How can you stay safe if you are behind the wheel? The Federal Railroad Administration provides the following safety tips for drivers:
- Be prepared to stop at the crossing.
- Be extra cautious at passive crossings. Passive crossings do not have flashing lights and gates.
- Slow down at crossings.
- Look both ways and listen.
- Understand railroad crossing signs and warning devices.
- Check that you have enough room on the other side of the tracks for your vehicle to cross safely.
- Never race a train.
- Never drive around lowered gates. It is illegal and deadly.
- Never stop on tracks.
- If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks, get out and get away from the tracks. Do so even if you do not see a train. Then, locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided. Inform them that there is a stalled vehicle.
- At a multiple track crossing, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
- Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Do not get trapped on the tracks.
Obey All Signs and Signals
In addition to the above safety tips, we remind drivers to also obey all railroad crossing signs and signals. Traffic control systems for railroad crossings may include signals, signs, lights, and markings. Remember the following when approaching a railroad crossing:
- Slow down and be ready to stop when a round railway crossing sign is visible.
- Drivers must stop if there is a stop sign at the crossing.
- If a train is coming, drivers must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks.
- If the signal lights are flashing, drivers must stop. Drivers may proceed if no train is visible, or it is safe to cross.
- Even if there is no stop signal and no train is coming, passenger buses and trucks carrying flammable or dangerous materials must stop.
- If a gate is lowered, do not proceed around it even if no train is visible.
- A crossbuck sign indicates the location of a train crossing and means drivers must yield to trains.
Know the Law
Drivers can also stay safe by knowing and following the law. In 2019, Nevada law regarding a driver’s responsibility at railroad crossings changed. The law requires drivers to yield to trains. The change requires drivers to yield to on-track equipment as well. For other railroad statutes see our article on Nevada Railroad Crossing Laws.
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Railroad Crossing Safety Tips for Pedestrians
Pedestrians are also vulnerable at railroad crossings and around railroad tracks. How can you stay safe if you are a pedestrian? The Federal Railroad Administration provides the following safety tips for pedestrians:
- Stay alert. It is easy to get distracted, especially by phones, music, and conversation.
- Stop, look both ways, and listen.
- Follow all signs and instructions.
- Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.
- Cross quickly. Never stop on the tracks.
- Cross at a 90° angle if crossing with a bike, stroller, or wheelchair, as your wheels can become stuck.
We hope these tips help you stay safe. If a railroad accident injures you, seek medical help immediately. Once you receive proper medical treatment, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The experienced team at Anthem Injury Lawyers will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation. Our law office is in Henderson, Nevada and we work with clients all over Las Vegas. If you can’t visit our office, our personal injury lawyers can come to you. Remember: insurance companies are not motivated to help you gain significant compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope you stay safe around rail-grade crossings. If you are the victim in a railroad crossing accident in the Las Vegas area, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation.
Award-winning personal injury law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers. We are based in Henderson, Nevada, and serve clients throughout the Las Vegas area. With over 25 years of experience, Anthem Injury Lawyers specializes in personal injury claims. Our experience includes representing clients in a range of accident cases, including but not limited to railroad accidents; car accidents; bus accidents; truck accidents; motorcycle accidents and more. Contact us now to get the advantage of our experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyers. We offer you the best opportunity to win significant compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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