In recent weeks, a woman walking her dog and a young man out for a stroll were tragically killed. These incidents had two things in common: The victims were in the 18-34 age range, and they involved pedestrians and trains.
Last year, nearly 36 percent of the 870 pedestrians who were injured or killed by trains nationwide were in that age group, according to federal statistics. Unfortunately, Georgia is among the states with the highest number of pedestrian rail trespass deaths last year, with 15 trespass deaths and an additional seven trespass injuries, according to preliminary statistics.
Sadly, these deaths were all preventable.
Many Georgians don’t realize that railroad tracks are private property, and that people who walk, hunt, fish from, ride all-terrain vehicles or attempt to cross railroad tracks at places other than designated, highway-rail grade crossings are breaking the law by trespassing.
The odds are against you if you choose to walk on, or close to, train tracks and get hit by a train. More than half the time you end up dead; the second most common outcome is loss of a foot or a leg.
Injuries and fatalities associated with trespassing on railroad property are a significant and growing problem. The casualty rate for all trespassers rose in 2008, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. More than 9,000 trespassers died or were injured in railroad-related trespassing incidents in the last 10 years.
Educating the public is critical to our efforts to reduce rail pedestrian trespass incidents in Georgia. It’s important to know that being on or around train tracks at places other than a designated crossing area is not only a really bad idea, it’s illegal and subject to fine.
This summer, Georgia Operation Lifesaver, Inc. — part of a national nonprofit safety group — started a new safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of people killed and injured while illegally on the tracks. Partnering with the major U.S. railroads and the U.S. Department of Transportation, and led by the Federal Railroad Administration, the Common Sense campaign includes an interactive Web site and Internet-based advertising in areas where these incidents frequently occur.
Some people may be tempted to use train tracks as a shortcut or as a place to ride their ATV. Other activities, like talking on a phone, texting or listening to MP3 players, are distractions that can be deadly around the tracks. The campaign’s message is simple — use your common sense, especially around trains.
Georgia Operation Lifesaver’s trained safety speakers give free presentations throughout the state, and tell people of all ages to stay off and stay away from the tracks, and stay alive. Georgia was the fourth state to start a rail safety program in 1974, and many government agencies, civic organizations and businesses are active members.
Jennie Glasgow is the state coordinator in Georgia for Operation Lifesaver.
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