Angels on Track – Train Sim Forum

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Reading Topic #8049

dti407Member since May-11-03 · 222 postsMar 16, 2004 11:25 PM

Forwarded message I got this morning.
(Orginal sender's name hidden)> > dear angels on track,
> > >
> > > I agree with your effort's to get railroad crossing's to be
> > better
> > > lighted with crossing light's, gates, etc. But I must say that
> > your
> > > slogan of " Bad crossing's kill good driver's" is not even true.
> > First
> > > off, the railroad has been here for over 150 years. Back in the
> > old day's
> > > train's crossed crossing's that only had a crossing sign at over
> > 90 MPH.
> > > People did not get killed. They looked, listened, and then crossed
> > the
> > > track. A driver that does not take the time to look before they
> > cross is
> > > stupid. The railroad has al way's had the right of way, and will
> > al
> > > way's. There is nothing that can be done about that. If you want
> > to make
> > > a difference, put the responsibility where it belong's. On the
> > stupid
> > > driver that think's that he or she does not have to slow down,
> > look, or
> > > listen. The Federal law requires engineers to blow there horn. Now
> > The
> > > engineer also suffers with a death at a crossing. many people have
> > had to
> > > get serious care because at night they dream of the face of the
> > child
> > > staring at them just before impact and there is nothing that they
> > can do.
> > > Please. They are just doing there job. They are just as innocent
> > as the
> > > person that crossed in front of the train and got hit. This nation
> > has
> > > gone way to far in not putting the responsibility on the person
> > who is
> > > actually responsible. So again I agree with you trying to get
> > more
> > > protection, but your slogan is false. If they were good drivers
> > they
> > > would not have pulled out in front of that train.
> > >
> > > B.P.
>
> > Mr. Porter. Thank you for contacting our Foundation, and while
> > you state you take exception to our slogan "Bad Crossings Kill
> > Good Drivers", I must tell you that the opinions of others will
> > never
> > alter the mission or focus of our Foundation.
> >
> > This slogan was not just pulled out of a hat. It is based on fact.
> > Only approximately 20% of our nation's railroad crossings are
> > protected with gates. Most, if not all, railroad crossings do not
> > meet FHWA/AASHTO sight line requirements for safe passage
> > across tracks. Even crossings with protection (gates and lights)
> > malfunction. Crossings with passive markings (crossbucks, stop
> > signs, Buckeye crossbucks) do not warn of an approaching train.
> > All of these are BAD CROSSINGS and kill hundreds of people
> > each year. To believe that all railroad crossing accidents are
> > caused by irresponsible motorists, is a unfounded stereotype that
> > has been accepted by unknowing individuals.
> >
> > And contrary to your statement ("back in the old days train's
> > crossed
> > crossings that only had a crossing sign at over 90 mph.
> > People did not get killed").... thousands were killed each year
> > and thousands were injured during the late 1800's and early/mid
> > 1900's. Crossing accidents have only decreased due to railroad
> > mergers,
> > crossing consolidations and closures, and installation of
> > protection
> > devices (gates). The safest year in railroad history (1999), 1369
> > people were injured and 402 people lost their lives. I find that
> > solemn
> > statistic to brag about, especially to those, like myself, who have
> > lost
> > a loved one to a dangerous crossing.
> >
> > To say all you have to do is look, listen and cross, is a dangerous
> > assumption and a deadly one at best. If you can't see down the
> > tracks
> > because sight obstructions such as trees, buildings, brush, parked
> > railroad
> > equipment, how can a motorist tell if a train is coming? If the FRA
> > whistle
> > ban is adopted
> > this coming December trains will not sound their horns at whistle
> > posts
> > posted 1/4 mile down the track, what will you listen for? Do you
> > honestly think that the railroad companies and their employees
> > always
> > follow required safety procedures such as train speeds, flagging
> > crossings
> > that have malfunctioned, etc., and the railroad companies have no
> > responsibility
> > for public safety?
> >
> > The fact is there is alot that can be done about dangerous railroad
> > crossings.
> > First, there is no excuse why all railroad crossings are not
> > protected with
> > properly functioning gates. Second, there is nothing precluding
> > the
> > railroads
> > from funding installation of protection (gates), they just choose
> > not to.
> > Third,
> > instead of always blaming the motorists for virtually all railroad
> > crossing
> > accidents,
> > current educational programs and organizations (funded by railroads)
> > should
> > present an unbiased message, based on facts, to address the true
> > causes
> > for railroad crossing accidents. These messages are used to focus
> > on the
> > victim and not the railroads conscious disregard for public safety.
> > Fourth,
> > all speed tapes and event recorders should be turned over to an
> > independent
> > agency after an accident, not the railroads involved. Also taking
> > into
> > account
> > most highway patrol, sheriff departments, emergency personnel, and
> > first
> > aid responders have been trained by our nation's railroads in
> > "railroad grade
> >
> > crossing accident investigation" to determine the cause. Now who do
> > you
> > think they will find at fault?
> >
> > You might be interested in knowing that we have the continued
> > support and
> > well wishes from current and past railroad employees. We also have
> > the support from experts within the railroad industry. To tell me
> > that you
> > support our Foundation's goals to install gates at all crossings,
> > but then
> > take exception with our slogan, can only be taken as lack of
> > knowledge
> > on your part as to what needs to change. Nowhere in our slogan do
> > we
> > mention railroad employees, we address the crossings. And, bad
> > crossings
> > also kill railroad employees. You might want to visit the
> > http://www.csx-sucks.com
> > website. Go to safety. Read the posts from those employees. They
> > support
> > what we are saying, and confirm the lack of concern that exists
> > today for
> > dangerous crossings. And, we also have the RRESQ link posted on
> > our
> > website (Crossing To Safety section). If we were not interested in
> > the
> > safety of all, public and railroad employees, why would we have a
> > link on
> > our website?
> >
> > I will not argue with you. I will repeat that you are sadly
> > mistaken
> > and too readily willing to accept what has been accepted for far too
> > long
> > as to what causes these accidents. Only those people with a
> > sincere
> > wish to stop these needless tragedies, will open up their minds and
> > look at the other side of the story............that which has not
> > been
> > told in the past. May God send peace and understanding to your
> > heart to understand our Foundation.
> >
> > Vicky L. Moore, Trustee
> > The Angels on Track Foundation
> > Crossing To Safety
> > "BAD CROSSINGS KILL GOOD DRIVERS" (R)
> >
> >
> >
> > Well Vicky L. Moore,
>
> Thank you for at least writing back. I have to say that I am
> ignorant of some thing's and you have given me some interesting info. I
> thank you for that information, but I believe that you also are ignorant
> of some thing's, but you said "I will not argue with you. I will repeat
> that you are sadly mistaken". That lead's me to believe that you are not
> as you said ready to "open up their minds and look at the other side of
> the story......" So I will not waist your time or mine. Good luck in your
> work and I wish you well.
> Have a super day
>
> B.P.Greg Zoll

DT&I MSTS Addons Coming Mid-2004
Email: greg@dti407.tk
http://www.dti407.tk
http://dti407.blogspot.com

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