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Rail Safety Week helps Ohioans remember to be alert at rail crossings
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ( PUCO ) and the Ohio Rail Development Commission ( ORDC ) are participating in Rail Safety Week , Sept . 19-25 . The week is dedicated as a reminder to Ohioans to practice safety around all rail crossings .
“ We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe . I encourage all Ohioans to avoid distractions and pay attention while driving , especially around railroad crossings ,” said Governor Mike DeWine .
Every three hours , a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States . Many crashes at railroad crossings occur because motorists fail to stop at the crossing , drive around the gates , or stop / stall on the tracks .
“ Practicing safe and alert driving around railroad tracks has never been more important ”, stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French . “ Many crashes happen even when warning devices are activated , which is why it is so important to stop , look , and listen .”
“ Rail Safety Week is an important time to remind everyone of the dangers of driving around active warning signs or trespassing on railroad property . Together with our state partners , the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Public Utilities Commission , we encourage Ohioans to always expect a train when approaching the tracks . Help # STOP- TrackTragedies ,” said Scott Corbitt , Chair of the Ohio Rail Development Commission . The PUCO and ORDC are encouraging you to follow these steps for safety :
Prepare to stop . Turn off fans and radio and roll down windows . Stop at least 15 feet , but not more than 50 feet , from nearest rail .
Look and listen both ways , carefully . Bend forward to see around mirrors and other vehicle parts blocking view .
If it won ’ t fit , don ’ t commit . Trains extend beyond the width of the rails at least 3 feet on each side . Remember your vehicle – and cargo – overhang .
Look again . Before you move , look again in both directions .
Cross tracks with care . Signal , watch for a safe gap , pull back onto the road if you used a pull-out lane . Use highest gear that will let you cross without shifting .
Keep going once you start , even if lights start to flash or gates come down .
Every rail crossing in Ohio is required to post the U . S . Department of Transportation number associated with the crossing and the emergency contact number for the railroad . If your vehicle stalls or gets stuck on the tracks , get out immediately and move away from the tracks at a 45 degree angle towards any oncoming train . Once it is safe to do so , the emergency number , visibly located near the crossing on the light poles or cross bucks , should be the first number you call if your vehicle is stuck or if warning devices aren ’ t properly functioning . The railroad has the ability to stop the flow of train traffic heading toward the crossing . If it is an emergency , next call 9-1-1 or the local police .
With 36 freight railroads operating approximately 5,300 miles of track and over 5,600 public grade crossings , Ohio is the fifth leading state in terms of goods transported by rail . The PUCO , in conjunction with the Ohio Rail Development Commission , is responsible for ensuring the safety of motorists at highwayrail grade crossings in Ohio . PUCO rail inspectors inspect the warning devices that are essential for motorist safety .
In 2021 , there were 53 train-vehicle collisions at public railroad crossings in Ohio , including four fatalities . Find more Ohio rail crossing statistics at the PUCO website .
The Ohio Rail Hotline , at ( 866 ) 814-RAIL ( 7245 ), provides Ohioans with a toll-free resource for all railroad crossing questions . For more information regarding these crossings , access the Ohio railroad information system website at http :// gradecrossings . puco . ohio . gov /. For more information on rail crossing safety , visit www . PUCO . ohio . gov .