Traffic report card shows decrease in fatality crashes

The total number of crashes dropped 6 percent, to 1,792 for the period this year from 1,903 in 2006.

In conjunction with the latest crash statistics, the city also has issued safety tips specific to railroad tracks in the city.

Crossing railroad tracks isn’t uncommon for many Springfield motorists, but because they cross many times without having to stop for a train, they can underestimate potential danger.

Part of the risk with trains is that they cannot stop quickly – it takes the average train, traveling at 55 miles per hour, the length of about 18 football fields to come to a complete stop.

The city, however, is working to let drivers know that on average, more Americans die at railroad crossings every year than in all commercial and general aviation crashes combined.

Sobering statistics

In observance of Rail Safety Week, which began April 22, the Missouri Department of Transportation separately released data on railroad incidents in Missouri.

According to MoDOT, there were 58 collisions between motor vehicles and trains at public-grade crossings in 2006, compared to 62 in 2005. There were six fatalities at public crossings, down from 17 in 2005.

The data also showed that more than half of all grade-crossing collisions in 2006 were at crossings with active warning devices – at least 52 percent had some combination of flashers, lights and gates, and half of the fatalities resulted from driving around gates serving as active warning devices.

Safe crossings

The city offers these safety tips for driving across railroad tracks:

• When crossing, watch out for a second pair of tracks. If a train just passed, and there are multiple tracks, never start crossing until it is certain that there’s not a second train traveling in either direction.

• Expect trains approaching any time, day or night, from either direction.

• If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, get everyone out immediately and away from the tracks.

Call local law enforcement for assistance.

• An approaching train is always faster and closer than it appears. Modern trains also are quieter and therefore harder to hear.

• Pedestrians and bicyclists should never attempt to cross railroad tracks with flashing railroad signals and/or railroad gates. Trains do not always sound their horns when approaching, such as in the quiet zone on East Catalpa Street.