How can we make railroad crossings safer?

Crossings are safe enough already. The problem is, too many people ignore the warning devises. What is needed isn't safer crossing, but smarter people. Most of us assume all are aware of the dangers associated with trains, but if the questions here are any indication, I would have to draw the conclusion that a significant portion of the populace are not educated properly with regard to railway safety issues.

The bottom line is, if you see someone go around the gates, report him via a call to 911, the same as people do when encountering a driver who they suspect has been drinking. Keep in mind, a vehicle can and does derail trains, with the possibility of Haz Mat release a very real concern. So, these idiots are not gambling with just their own lives, but the lives of many others as well.

Last year saw many deaths on the rails owing to motorists, including two crewmen who burned to death after an idiot pulled in front of their train while driving a propane truck.

Trains don't go looking for people, but if you get in their way, they'll be happy to kill or maim you...

Safety questions rate a star. here's yours.

When used correctly, level crossings are safe, but, unfortunately, some people do believe that they can beat the train, and that is a mistake that can have fatal consequences.

Level crossings did use to have two sets of gates or bars which obstructed the road on each side, but when the gates were operated remotely, there was always a possibility that they might close whilst a car was moving too fast to stop before reaching the crossing.

By reducing the obstruction to a single half barrier, it left the exit from the crossing unobstructed, and clear for fast moving car to pass, or to escape the crossing. Inevitably, some drivers who see stationery cars in front of them at the barrier, decide to overtake the waiting cars and try exit the crossing on the wrong side of the road, before a train passes, as there is no obstructing barrier on that side of the roadway.

There are also some crossings where due to obstructed sight lines a train can pass a crossing in less time than it takes to leave the crossing when the approaching train whistle is sounded, and a recent fatality occurred at a rural crossing, simply because the wood timbers that were for the use of pedestrians, had become slippery, causing a walker to fall, and then been struck by a train.

Nothing! When we were kids, our parents told us to look BOTH ways before crossing the street. This obviously includes railroads, not just pavement streets. You're asking what to do to stop people who insist on ignoring very good safety advice. Nothing! If someone wants to speed, run a red light, illegally park, or otherwise put their own convenience ahead of life, the only thing we can do is have an armed cop intercept them. Unless you're prepared to put armed cops at railroad crossing, you'll just have to accept that trains are dangerous to bad drivers and their passengers.

When i worked for a short line RR part of my job was to help investigate crossing accidents. one factor that contributed to several accidents will surprise you. the volume on the car radio was so loud that the driver could not hear the warning horn being blown by the train engineer as he approached the crossing. (non gated crossings)

Drivers need to "Stop, Look, & Listen" at RR crossing.

Many accident occur at crossings where two tracks pass thru the crossing, drivers wait until the first train clears the crossing then drive around the crossing arms right into the path of the train on the second track.

elimination of at grade crossing helps (underpasses or overpasses) but it sounds like we need to teach operation lifesaver again.

They have experimented with what could be best described as an "iron curtain".

It sets on poles above the crossing; as a train approaches, it drops down like a curtain at a theatre, completely blocking the road from shoulder to shoulder.

Do they work? They'll stop a semi loaded with steel dong 60.

I think there's still one in use on US 136 in McLean IL

At the end of the day, the responsibility is with the user.

It is not difficult to see or hear a train coming.

Proper precautions mean that such crossings should be the safest.

The fault is with the driver, walker.

... have parents raise smarter children. People would have to be REALLY stupid to think they can go faster then a train.

It's simply stupid to try and go over a railroad when there's A TRAIN COMING.

You simply don't try and out run a train >_>

they must install video cameras at the stops and prosecute those that ignores the red light or beams.

Bridges or underpasses and fence off the lines

Get rid of trains ha...

...no actually dont, i need them for work!