FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jill Moody, 615-656-1223, jmoodytnol@comcast.net
Preliminary Rail Crossing and Trespass Statistics, 2015 vs. 2014
Source: FRA Office of Safety Analysis
Vehicle collisions at railroad crossings down in 2015, but deaths from pedestrian trespassing increase by more than 50%
|
Tennessee Crossing Statistics |
Tennessee Trespass Statistics |
||||||
|
Collisions |
Deaths |
Injuries |
All Casualties |
Deaths |
Injuries |
||
|
2014 |
62 |
8 |
27 |
2014 |
20 |
9 |
11 |
|
2015 |
39 |
3 |
8 |
2015 |
25 |
14 |
11 |
Nashville, TN, March 17, 2016 – Collisions at highway-rail grade crossings in Tennessee fell by 37% in 2015 and rail trespass deaths rose according to the nonprofit rail safety education organization Tennessee Operation Lifesaver. The group cited preliminary 2015 Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) statistics.
“We are gratified with this reduction in highway-rail grade crossing collisions,” said TN Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Jill Moody. “We will continue our work educating Tennesseans about the crucial need to stay off train tracks and obey warning signs and signals.”
Nationally, vehicle-train collisions and deaths at highway-rail grade crossings fell in 2015, along with injuries to people trespassing on train tracks, while the number of trespassers killed on train tracks rose compared to 2014, as did the number injured as a result of crossing collisions, Moody said.
Overall, TN crossing collisions, deaths and injuries were down in 2015 from 2014, FRA statistics reveal. However, trespass fatalities and incidents increased in 2015 while trespass injuries remained the same as 2014.
“Our ‘See Tracks? Think Train!” message is more important than ever to remind TN residents that it’s illegal and extremely dangerous to use train tracks for recreational activities,” Moody continued. “In partnership with the rail industry, state and local law enforcement, and transportation agencies, Operation Lifesaver is making a difference across the state,” she concluded.
Operation Lifesaver's mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety. Learn more at [state website URL, Facebook or Twitter link] or at http://www.oli.org.
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