MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop E Headquarters - 4947 Highway 67 North - Poplar Bluff, MO 63901


News Release

For further information please contact: Trooper Clark D. Parrott
(573) 840-9500, Ext. 3532
06081225
June 8, 2012

EMPHASIS: Troop E Emphasizes The Dangers Of Railroad Cossings And Train Tracks


On June 5, 2012, at approximately 12:25 a.m., two Butler County residents were killed and another sustained serious injuries as a result of the vehicle they were in being struck by a southbound Amtrak passenger train.
Although tragic, this crash was avoidable. Senseless acts such as purposely stopping on a railroad crossing, turning off the engine of the vehicle and removing the keys is unsafe and may result in serious injury or death. Playing games, riding all terrain vehicles or bicycles, walking, and jogging along the railroad right-of-way is considered trespassing and is illegal.

Every three hours a person or vehicle is struck by a train in the U.S. In Missouri alone, there were 48 crashes with 13 fatalities and 14 injuries in 2011. So far in 2012, there have been 8 crashes with 4 fatalities and 3 injuries. There was an increase in Missouri last year in railroad crossing crashes, from 41 in 2010 to 48 in 2011. Here are some tips to stay safe at railroad crossings:

-Don’t walk on or over railroad property--this could also land you jail because it is illegal and considered trespassing.
-Only use designated public crossing areas while crossing the tracks.
-When a train is approaching or crossing, keep 15 feet away from a railroad crossing when stopped in your vehicle. A train is three-feet wider than the tracks, so make sure you leave plenty of room when stopping near the tracks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol along with Union Pacific Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad Police, Poplar Bluff Police Department, Butler County Sheriff’s Department, Butler County Coroner, Butler County Highway Department and the Butler County Commissioners are united in their efforts to stop the senseless games and needless deaths at railroad crossings in Butler County.

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