Raising awareness around rail crossings

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This week, September 17-23, marks National Rail Safety Week. 

Every three hours, a car collides with a train at a railroad crossing.

More than 60% of these collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights or gates.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is asking drivers to exercise enhanced caution at these crossings by looking both ways before crossing, not crossing the tracks when lights and gates are on, and making sure you have enough room on the other side to clear the tracks.

Joe Schulman with GADOT says, “The most important thing for people is to understand that railroad crossings can be dangerous if you’re not careful. We put all the safety aspects out there at them, but at the end of the day, as a driver, we want to make sure that you are looking.”

Schulman also advises that if your vehicle is stuck on the tracks, evacuate to a safe place and immediately call 911.