FRESNO (KMJ) — The “Safety Train” makes an appearance in Fresno – to bring home just how dangerous railroads can be.
“California leads the nation in railroad fatalities,” reveals Director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Brian Schmidt. “It’s becoming worse and worse as the state grows. People just need to understand that they need to make better decisions at the railroad tracks.”
He reveals that in the Fresno area in 2016 there were five fatalities attributed to the railroad; in 2017 there have already been three.
The appearance of the “Safety Train” in the Central Valley is to coincide with an enforcement day on and around the tracks, taking place all-day Monday.
“[Pedestrians] have to go to a crossing, to cross the railroad tracks – it is private property. The same thing if gates are down and cars go around it – that’s a vehicle violation.”
Schmidt warns that people who ignore the rules, open themselves up to getting a citation. But the bigger danger is the possibility of death if your timing is wrong.
Officials state that a train traveling at 55 mph, can take a mile to stop once the emergency brake is applied. For the person inside the cab at the time, feeling responsible for someone’s demise can be a traumatic event.
“For any individual, with a fatality, that’s one thing we want to help prevent as well,” adds Schmidt.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
