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Stop. Trains Can't.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched a national railroad crossing safety ad campaign to increase public awareness around railroad tracks and reduce crossing deaths and injuries. Although accidents at railroad crossings are an old problem, the problem is easily avoidable. This ad is the latest in a three-year, focused effort to reverse the uptick in railroad crossing fatalities. Its message is simple: Stop. Trains can’t.

For more information, please visit: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/rail-grade-crossing/stop-trains-cant.

Joint letter to Members of Congress from NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King and FRA Administrator Ronald Batory
Joint letter to Members of Congress from NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King and FRA Administrator Ronald Batory.

Stop. Trains Can't.

Did you know…

About every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the U.S.

Most, if not all, of these accidents can be prevented.

How can you help prevent these accidents?

Chart of preventative actions: AS A MOTORIST Be prepared to stop at the crossing Slow down, look both ways, and listen Understand the signs and warning devices Check that you have enough room on the other side of the tracks for your vehicle to cross safely Never race a train Never stop on tracks PDF As a Motorist AS A PEDESTRIAN Stay alert—it is easy to get distracted, especially by phones, music, and conversation Stop, look both ways, and listen Follow all signs and instructions Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings Cross quickly, never stop on the tracks Cross at a 90° angle if crossing with a bike, stroller, or wheelchair, as your wheels can become stuck PDF As a Pedestrian AT A PASSIVE CROSSING (without active warning devices) Be extra cautious as passive crossings do not have flashing lights and gates Be prepared to stop at the crossing Slow down, look both ways, and listen Understand the signs Never race a train Never stop on tracks PDF At a Passive Crossing

By the Numbers: Railroad Crossing Safety

U.S Department Of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration. Railroad Crossing Safety And Trespass Prevention, December 2016. Combined, railroad crossing and trespasser deaths have accounted for approximately 94% of all rail-related deaths over the past Railroad ten years. About every 3 hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Just over one half of all public crossings are active (include gates, bells, and/or flashing lights) while just under half are passive (include signs and markings, but do not include active warning devices). Always expect a train on any track at anytime. The U.S. Railroad System has 800 Railroads, 144,000 Miles of track, and 212,000 Railroad Crossings. More than two-thirds of railroad crossing accidents occur in clear weather conditions (69%). Overall rail incidents have been in decline. In the past 10 years fatalities at U.S. crossings have declined substantially (-37%). Unfortunately, over the same 10 year period, trespassing fatalities have declined less, (-11%). In 2015 there were approximately 230 fatalities at railroad crossings, a decrease of 30 from the previous year. However, trespasser fatalities decreased by less. In 2015 there were approximately 455 trespasser fatalities at railroad tracks, a decrease of 10 from the previous year. Trains cannot stop quickly! A train traveling at 55 MPH takes a mile or more to stop! For more information on rail safety, visit https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0855.

What FRA is doing to improve railroad crossing safety

  • Awarding over $65 million through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to invest in a wide range of projects to improve railroad safety, efficiency and reliability, which can include grade crossing improvement projects
  • Initiating a Law Enforcement Strategies for Reducing Trespassing Pilot Grant Program to assist communities at risk for rail trespassing related incidents and fatalities
  • Partnering with tech companies to add alerts of upcoming railroad crossings to map applications
  • Testing intrusion detection technology to provide advanced warning to trains of a vehicle on tracks
  • Establishing FRA’s Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO, as a center of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) research for railroad and first responder activities
  • Partnering with Operation Lifesaver, Inc. on rail safety education initiatives to empower drivers to make safe choices at crossings
Last updated: Friday, January 6, 2017