Trains LIVE — Rail Safety Week!
Trains LIVE — 09-21-2022 — This week, Bob Lettenberger talks with Gary Koerner, Wisconsin state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver, about how you can stay safe around trains and Rail Safety Week.
Rail Safety Week (Sept. 19-25, 2022) is an annual event calling our attention to what could be a hazardous situation — our interactions with trains and railroads. Rail Safety Week takes place throughout North America with events held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The statistics speak for themselves: Every 3 hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Annually, more than 2,100 people are injured or killed in grade crossing and trespassing incidents in North America. More than 50% of collisions between trains and vehicles happen at crossings equipped with lights and/or gates. Virtually 100% of these incidents could be prevented.
Join us as we learn basic railroad safety tips that will make your interaction with trains safe. Gary also offers tips for rail enthusiasts on how to be safe, yet still enjoy their train-watching hobby.
>>>>>>>>>>
Trains LIVE is a regular video segment, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July 2022.
Trains LIVE features Bob Lettenberger, Trains associate editor, Kalmbach Media staff, and guests talking about railroads and trains in a casual, behind the scenes format. Trains LIVE will ask the questions you would like to ask and take you into places not normally open to the public. Trains LIVE also takes you on the road to museums, trackside locations and other railroad-related venues. It is unscripted and presented every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central time.
If you have questions or comments, please log-in and leave a comment in the area at the bottom of the page. We will attempt to answer questions during future episodes.
All aboard! It’s time for Trains LIVE!
Allow me to add a few safety comments.
Often there is a street intersection a little ways beyond a grade crossing. Traffic waiting for the traffic light sometimes backs up to the grade crossing. Do not stop on the tracks! If there isn’t enough room to for your entire vehicle get a safe distance from the tracks on the other side, stop at the stop line before crossing the tracks.
Also, if your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, first get everyone out of your vehicle and get a safe distance from the tracks, then call the number on the blue ENS sign.
Here is a link to a video of an Amtrak train colliding with an auto carrier that was stuck (high centered) on a grade crossing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03NkGLVbQLA I doubt the truck driver knew about the ENS phone number, but at least he got out of his truck.