Feb 04, 2014 in News Rail Accidents

Rail Accidents: Don't cross train tracks unless you're at a designated crossing

[caption id="attachment_5810" align="alignright" width="200"] (Photo credit: linder6580/SXC)[/caption]

If you have train tracks along your route, it might seem like a quick and easy shortcut. But train tracks are very dangerous and it's always safer to take another path to your destination.

It might not be known, but if you enter railway property, it is considered to be trespassing. Trespassing on a railway track is considered a federal offence and you could be charged more than $500. Some provinces even add on additional fines of between $100 to $300, which is a pricey amount to take a shortcut.

It's important for people to stay away from train tracks, bridges or tunnels since there are dozens of ways people can be injured by being nearby. A stopped train can suddenly start moving or rocks or trash on the tracks can be flung at you when a train crosses the track. These could even cause the train to come off the tracks and crash.

Trains travel at varying speeds on the tracks, but the average freight train travelling at 100 kilometres/hour takes about 2 kilometres of space to come to a stop. A passenger train travelling at 160 kilometres/hour requires the same distance as well. The average locomotive engine train weighs about 110 tonnes, while a car weights about two tonnes. This means that in many cases, unfortunately a train is unlikely to stop in time if there is a person on the track.

In January and February of 2013, there were 42 reported crossing accidents in Canada with 12 of these resulting in fatalities or serious injuries, according to Transport Canada. There were 8 reported trespasser incidents within the same timeframe and all of these resulted in fatalities or serious injuries.

In 2012, there were 189 crossing accidents with 31 fatalities and 32 serious injuries, while there were 71 trespasser incidents with 47 fatalities and 20 serious injuries. Unfortunately, these numbers have gone up since 2011.

Any person on foot, bicycle or ATV should never cross rail tracks, unless it's at a designated pedestrian crossing. For parents, it's especially important that kids don't wander near railways. And even when you're crossing a designated crossing, it's important that you are alert of your surroundings and that you turn down your music before stepping onto the tracks.

Unfortunately, there was a recent incident south of Edmonton where two seniors were killed by a railway crossing. An elderly man tripped and fell onto the tracks at a major railway crossing and his elderly female travelling companion went back to help as a train barrelled down towards the duo. While the crossing was working properly and the train blew its whistle and put on its emergency brakes, unfortunately both elders were hit and they died at the scene.

Also, this winter, GO Trains in Ontario have struck multiple pedestrians. All three accidents in Oakville, Mississauga and Aurora were unfortunately fatal.

The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling personal injury claims for clients throughout Ontario for more than 40 years, and we know how to get you compensation if you or a family member has been injured in a public transit accident. Call us at 416-920-4242 to set up a free consultation. Come chat with us!