With smartphones and social media, everyone is a photographer these days. From teens to adults, people are taking photos to share via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat. How big is this trend? A quick search on Instagram shows there are more than 213 million photos with the “selfie” hashtag.
But what happens when selfies turn deadly? A particularly troubling photography fad has skyrocketed in popularity: using train tracks and trestles as locations for selfies, videos and portraits of high school seniors, wedding parties and families. What many people don’t know is that taking photos on train tracks is illegal – and potentially fatal. This year alone, five people have died taking photos or videos on tracks, most recently on Sept. 14, when a high school student in Maryland was killed taking photos with his girlfriend.
These preventable tragedies are happening in Atlanta, too. In March, 30-year-old personal trainer Travis “Achilles” Williams was killed while shooting a video near train tracks in Buckhead. News accounts of that incident said that Williams was not on the tracks, but that “he apparently misjudged the width of the train in relation to the size of the tracks.”
These are not isolated events: more than 800 Americans trespassing on train tracks are killed or injured by trains each year. Georgia is in the top 15 states for these incidents.
How can we address this deadly issue? To reach the photography industry, my organization is working with Atlanta-based Professional Photographers of America on an October 22 webinar for their members, “Safety First: Photography Near Tracks and Trains.” We also will release animated public service announcements aimed at professional photographers and selfie-takers later this year.
The general public can find sharable safety information and materials from our ongoing public awareness campaign, developed with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the railroad industry: See Tracks? Think Train!
Remember these facts about trains:
- Freight trains don't run on a schedule – always expect a train on any track, in either direction, at any time.
- Because of their size and weight, trains can't stop quickly to avoid a person or object on the tracks.
- Freight and passenger trains are faster and quieter than you think, and they overhang the tracks by at least three feet on both sides.
- Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.
- The only safe and legal place to cross the tracks is where there is a designated crossing.
- Never allow distractions to take away your attention when you're around train tracks.
You can help, too, by having a conversation about this issue with your friends and loved ones. Together, we can make a difference – and save lives.
About the Author
