How do so many people get hit by trains?

suicide attempts

Mostly suicide. Or stupid people trying to beat the train - in most cases they lose. Most people are so ignorant that they really don't know the law around the train tracks.

You are not allowed to stop on the tracks and you are not allowed to change lane on top of tracks either. But you could be forced into the situation. For example, I can be waiting one side of track for space to clear. The second I see enough space on the other side, I accelerate. There are always some illegal lane changers that changes the lane on top of the track and go into my clearance space. Guess what... you are forced to stop on the track. In which case, if train comes, you hit that gas hard as you can and trash the car in front of you. It is better for you to kill the idiot in front of you than get killed by train. The law would would clear you afterward.

You answered your own question. By being on the tracks at the same time the train is there. Don't drive onto the tracks unless you have room enough to clear the tracks. Never drive around the gates, or enter without gates but the lights are flashing.

Most people get hit by trains, trying to beat them to a crossing, because they are in a hurry and can't wait.

If you time a train, even the longest ones rarely take more than a few minutes to cross...

Well 1. they want to die, 2. they want to beat the train, 3. They don't really look b4 going across, 4. When not under power you really cant hear them i know it sounds dumb but its true

Drunk, high want to get hit. It would be hard for a train to sneak up on you any other way.

why?