Frederick County Highway Safety Task Force

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	[FAQS] [Tips] [Definitions] [Related Sites] Operation Lifesaver is a nationwide, non-profit public information program dedicated to reducing collisions, injuries and fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights-of-way. Did You Know... Approximately every 90 minutes a train in the United States strikes a vehicle or a pedestrian. A motorist is 30 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle. More people die in highway-rail crashes each year than in commercial airline crashes in an average year. It takes a train traveling 50 mph, a mile and half to stop. Over 50 percent of crashes at public grade crossings occur where active warning devices (gates, lights, and bells) exist. Most crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist's home. Railroad tracks, trestles, bridges, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fines.
	Driving Tips:
	Never drive around lowered gates -- It's illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call your local law enforcement agency. Never race a train to the crossing -- Even if it's a tie, you lose. Do not get trapped on a crossing. Only proceed through a crossing if you are sure you can cross the entire track. Get out of your vehicle if it stalls on a crossing and call your local law enforcement agency for assistance. Only attempt to restart if you can post lookouts to warn of approaching trains. Watch out for a second train when crossing multiple tracks. Expect a train on the track at any time. Trains do not follow set schedules. Be aware trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, it can take up to 1 1/2 miles to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. Do not misjudge the train's speed and distance. A train's large mass makes it almost impossible to accurately judge its speed.
	Highway-Railroad Crossing & Trespassing Definitions:
	Casualty - An individual who suffers a fatal or non-fatal injury as described below. Fatality - A person who dies as a result of an injury incurred during railroad operations or resulting from an occupational illness, if death occurs within 365 days of initial diagnosis. Highway-rail Crossing -A location where one or more railroad tracks cross a public highway, road, street, or a private roadway, including sidewalks, pathways, shoulders, etc., at or associated with the crossing site. Injury - Physical harm to a person resulting from a single event, activity, occurrence, etc. Any injury that requires medical treatment is reportable on that basis alone. However, medical treatment of a first aid nature is not reportable. Trespassers - Persons who are on that part of railroad property used in railroad operation and whose presence is prohibited, forbidden, or unlawful.
	Other Sites Related to Railroad Safety:
	Federal Railroad Administration Federal Railroad Adminnistration's Railroad Crossing & Trespassing Child Facts Union Pacific Railroad [FAQS] [Tips] [Definitions] [Related Sites] Frederick County Highway Safety Task Force.