Collisions at highway-rail grade crossing collisions in Ohio fell by 3.9 % in 2012 and rail trespass casualties (deaths and injuries) rose according to the nonprofit rail safety education organization Ohio Operation Lifesaver, www.ohol.org. The group cited preliminary 2012 Federal Railroad Administration (FRA, www.fra.dot.gov) statistics.
“We are encouraged by the continued reduction in highway-rail grade crossing collisions,” said Ohio Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Steve Friday. However, “Educating a distracted public in order to reduce trespassing injuries and fatalities continues to be a challenge. Preliminary statistics show a 65% increase in Trespasser casualties (deaths and injuries) when compared to 2011.
Across the U.S., vehicle-train collisions and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings were lower across the in 2012, crossing-related fatalities were flat and rail trespass deaths and injuries rose from 2011, Friday said.
Overall, Ohio crossing collisions were down 3.9% in 2012 from 2011, to 73; crossing fatalities rose 80% to 9; and crossing injuries fell 16% to 25, FRA statistics reveal. Fatalities to persons trespassing on railroad tracks and property increased 41.7% in 2012 to 17, and trespass injuries rose 100% from 2011 to 16.
“It’s a sobering fact that the number of Americans killed while trespassing on train tracks continues to outpace fatalities from vehicle-train collisions,” Friday stated. “Operation Lifesaver, in partnership with major freight railroads, commuter and light rail systems, state and local law enforcement, and transportation agencies, is expanding our efforts to encourage Americans to make safe decisions around tracks and trains,” he concluded.
Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety. Learn more at www.oli.org.
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