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Over 95% of rail-related fatalities are trespassers or grade-crossing users.
Tempted to take that shortcut across the railroad tracks? Think again.
A trespasser is a person or persons on the part of railroad property used in railroad operations and whose presence is prohibited, forbidden, or unlawful. Some prohibited actions include but are not limited to: photography, hunting, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and other recreational activities.
Every time you step onto railroad property you are trespassing on private property and violating the law. You could be charged with trespassing, or in this era of heightened security, be questioned by law enforcement or railroad officials about your presence in a suspect area.
To report a trespassing incident or concern, please contact Kris Klop. To report a critical emergency, use the blue ENS sign to contact the railroad directly. If unsure what railroad to call, contact the local law enforcement agency.
All trespasser incidents are reported to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Form FRA F 6180.55a Injury/Illness Continuation Sheet. Data is available through April 30, 2024. Information obtained from these reports is available at a summary level with data by each state.
The Federal Railroad Administration's Safety Web site was established for the purpose of making railroad safety information readily available. Visitors can access railroad safety information, including accidents and incidents, inspections and highway-rail crossing data. From this site, users can run dynamic queries, download a variety of safety database files, publications, and forms, and view current statistical information on railroad safety.
Additional information is available on Rail Overviews, Rail Traffic, State Data, Technical Publication at the AAR.org website Freight Rail Data Center - AAR
According to the Associations of American Railroads, the grade crossing collision rate was down 25% between 2000 and 2023. However, along with trespass incidents, these preventable accidents remain persistent challenges across the rail industry. Over 95% of rail-related fatalities are trespassers or grade crossing users. More Information is available at: Freight Rail Pedestrian & Driver Safety - AAR
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