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Missouri Officials Promoting Railroad Safety

By Matthew Leaf

09/29/2014

(KTNC)--Officials in Missouri are emphasizing a safety message this week, which has been designated at Rail Safety Week in Missouri. Kristi Jameson, the Railroad Operations Manager for the Missouri Department of Transportation says MoDOT has partnered with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Operation Lifesaver to highlight the dangers when people disregard crossing lawas or trespass on railroad property. Jameson says the want people to remember the mantra "see tracks, think train," which means you should think a train may be coming whenever you approach a railroad crossing, whether a train is coming or not. In 2013, there were 64 crossing crashes and trespass incidents in Missouri, resulting in 14 fatalities and 38 injuries. Jameson says they’re working to educate the public about the danger of being around railroad tracks, working with local law officers to enforce railroad trespass laws, and working with railroads to upgrade crossings in the state. MoDOT upgrades 30-to-35 crossings per year with lights and gates, LED lights and more reflective signing. As part of the safety campaign, Missouri Lifesaver is airing radio messages across the state, and enforcement events are planned to deter violations of crossing safety and trespassing laws. There are 4,800 miles of railroad tracks in Missouri, and Jameson notes that Kansas City and St. Louis are the second and third largest railroad hubs, respectively, in the United States.

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