SDDOT / Railroads / Office Information / Operation Lifesaver / Facts

In 1998, 431 people were killed and 1,303 seriously injured in 3,508 highway-rail grade crossing collisions (combined for public and private crossings).
536 people were killed and 513 were injured while trespassing on railroad right-of-way and property.
Approximately every 115 minutes a vehicle or pedestrian are struck in the United States.
A motorist is 40 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle.
There are approximately 260,000 public, private, and pedestrian-at-grade highway-rail grade crossings in the United States.
More people die in a highway-rail crashes each year than in commercial airline crashes in any average year.
Nearly 50% of crashes at public-grade crossings occur were active warning devices (gates, lights, bells) exist.
Most highway crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist's home.
Trains cannot stop quickly:

Average freight train stopping distance
55 mph = 5,260 feet, or 1 mile

8-car passenger train approximate stopping distance
79 mph = 6,000 feet, or 1 1/8 mile
The majority of highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling less than 30 mph
Railroad tracks, yards, and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fines
Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, nationwide education program dedicated to reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities at intersections were roadways meet railways and along railroad right-of-way