How can we make railroad crossings safer?

Vincenzo

dont be an idiot is my answer to this

Right Wing Extremist, Baby

I don't know, most train / car accidents are caused by impatient drivers. To me, big red flashing lights and a crossing gate coming down to the sound of clanging bells is enough to alert me that multi-hundred-ton train is headed in my direction and I need to stop.

Maybe a hydraulically actuated wall should come up to keep cars off the tracks while a train is coming. I'm sure that would be ignored too, and result in countless lawsuits because someone's car got hung up on the wall.

StephenWeinstein

How about if we eliminate the grade-level crossings completely and replace them all with overpasses, bridges, tunnels, underpasses, etc.?

Yes, I know this will cost a larger amount than we are willing to spend. The question was how "can" we, which means "how are we able to" make crossings safer. It was not how "should" we, how "will" we, or "how would we like to" do this.

tommygavin04

Teach kids common sense, stay away from trains/railroad crossings.

They are not going to put up a brick wall to stop some idiot kid from getting smashed.

wtf is this country coming too.

eric

Only stupid drivers beat trains or drive around the railroad crossing gates. Is risking your life worth it then waiting a few minutes for a train to pass?

Droopy

there comes a time in life when u think, how dum can u be to try to beat a train. i ask myself if ur dum enough to do this at a train track then by all means u deserve to get hit. i know its not the kids fault but the only way ppl learn is by education and by trial and error. suks that it has to be this way but its reality, lol sowy

Texas Underdog

OVERPASSES - but that is too expensive.
Other than that, driver education.
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Arquestian

I feel for children that get stuck in that situation as well, but at some point you have to ask yourself "How stupid proof do we have to make things?".

These aren't children that are at the wheel, and most collisions at railroad crossings are the result of stupidity, not accidents. There has to be a limit.

When do we stop changing programming on television because other people are too stupid/busy to monitor what their children are watching on TV?

No matter what we do, stupid will always survive in one form or another. Look how many people have been mauled by animals behind fences. Most of them didn't accidently fall in, they went in on purpose.

Bob

Ensure that the railroad and the highway cross at different levels. It's called a bridge

lawagoneer

Outlaw stupidity!

Turtle 6

You posted this in the "rail" section of Answers.

An answer of mine [on the technical side] is there; because I forget [already] what I wrote.

But the best way is for everyone to grab their ears until they hear a "pop"; then you know you've got your head out of your ***.

Average human weighs 200 lbs.
Average car weighs 2 300 lbs.
Your basic train weighs 34 000 000 lbs

If it's a tie, YOU LOSE.

I'm one of the "chosen" few who gets up in the middle of the night, regardless of the weather, and "bag and tag" your sorry butt if you try to beat a train. I'M GETTING DAMN TIRED OF DOING IT! After as many years as I've done it, the nightmares still are there.

Can't wait until my co-workers are up to speed [and stop with "calling Ralph on the big white commod-a-phone". I'd love to spend time with my young children just watching trains.

Larry E

People that drive around the arms are complete idiots and the only way to make it safer is to quit letting them drive.You can only do so much to make the roads safe, the rest is up to the drivers.

UCANTCME

The safest technology is an aware driver.

Sadly the best technology can still fail and it should not be relied on the keep drivers safe.

Stop look and listen is the Operation Lifesaver motto and it is very good advice.........

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