State Recognizes Rail Safety Week

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170301car-train0003-3

This past week was Rail Safety Week in Michigan when everyone was reminded to follow the rules of railroad tracks. Sam Crowl with Michigan Operation Lifesaver tells WSJM News they held events all week following a proclamation by the governor. Crowl says everyone should know what to do if they get stuck on a crossing. Look for the Emergency Notification System sign.

“It’s a blue sign that is posted at every crossing with the address of that crossing and the phone number to call for that railroad so that you can call and immediately get a hold of a dispatcher who can then call the engineer and get the train stopped as long as they have a minute or two,” Crowl said.

Crowl says 16 pedestrians were injured or killed while walking on or near railroad tracks in Michigan last year, many of them because they were walking on tracks while wearing earbuds.

“We can see the action of reaction of the person that’s walking, and often they don’t react at all, “Crowl said. “We realize then that they just didn’t hear the locomotive, even though the engineers is sounding the horn and ringing the bell.”

In 2017, there were 54 crashes at highway-rail grade crossings, resulting in five deaths and 18 injuries in Michigan. Crowl tells us all of them could have been prevented. Most cases are caused by someone ignoring the lights or driving around down gates.