UPS Van Driver Killed by Train

I think its about time the govt. mandated gates that do not allow any vehicle to cross RR tracks when a train is approaching regardless of where the RR crossing is located. (rural or city). i dontr mean gates that would trap a vehicle on the tracks but ones that would make driving around gates impossible.

 

Mark I live right along the BNSF Transcon one of the most BUSY and I mean BUSY sets of RR Tracks outside a major Metro area anywere in the USA. In a Normal day I have close to 80 to 90 trains a day come thru here. Yet in the last year we have had a grand total of 2 accidents with trains at the grade crossings one was a suicide the other was a 90 year or lady that got confused and stuck her car on the tracks of the Yard of the Norfolk Southern and all she ended up with was minor Injuries.

Those crossings you want mandated Guess who pays for the Installation of them it is NOT THE RRthey have to Maintain them AFTER THEY ARE IN. THE TAXPAYERS pay for them and it comes out of the HIGHWAY TRUST FUND. So think of that next time your crossing a Bridge that needs to be repaired or REPLACED. Thats right if the state requires arms or even Lights at a Crossing the Taxpayes pay for the Iniatal installation. Why the RR's were hauling frieght and passengers long before Cars were invented.

 

I do agree with everything you posted, i understand the cash would come from my pocket and i understand Hi-way repair money would be taken away.I know the roads and bridges are deteriorating due to total neglect and lousy workmanship. in this area, the roads are decent and first day of spring, the orange barrels come out and road repair starts again. being from brooklyn n.y. originally, i know the roads and bridges are awful due to neglect, lack of funds and having to deal with every corrupt union contractor's doing repairs. However its hard to put a price tag on a device that may prevent deaths. i do not know the specifics of the accident that claimed the life of this UPS driver other then its a tradgedy. in my area there have been several fatalities at un-gated crossings mostly young drivers have paid the price with their lives. gates could have possibly helped. in this area, the major RR was wisconsin Central which had a HORRIBLE safety record and lousy maintenance. Since Canadian National is now the owner, things are considerably better, with more visible maintenace crews around. I cross several mainline crossings that are present in the industrial park that i peddle in. one morning, the gates were down, lites flashing, traffic backed up and not a train in sight. a couple of guys in a straight truck got out of the vehicle and commenced to lift the arms up and wave cars across the tracks. and yes more then 1 semi decided to cross the tracks.the guys are waving at me and i'm sitting there with Flammable Placards on the trailer holding traffic up. no i wasnt about to loose my job and cross the tracks with hazmat at a crossing with arms down but poeple took the chance. poeple will continue to loose their lives at crossings due to inattention,ignorance, impatience and lack of respect and right of way to trains.