7 deadly facts about trains

It’s simple. Trains are deadly. One misstep or careless act could kill you. Consider these 7 deadly train facts:

1. If you see a train approaching, be prepared to stop. Most motorists misjudge the speed of trains, believing that they are travelling much more slowly than they actually are or incorrectly assuming that the train must slow down at highway-railway crossings. If you have any doubt, stop and wait for the train to pass. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="274"] Photo Credit: canadianbusiness.com[/caption]
2. Trains CANNOT stop quickly. An average freight train travelling at 100 km/h requires about 2 km to stop. A passenger train travelling at 160 km/h requires about the same distance to stop. Compare that to an automobile travelling at 90 km/h, which requires about 60 metres to stop.
3. The average locomotive engine weighs 110 tonnes. Compare that to the average automobile, which weighs less than two tonnes. To put that in perspective, a train hitting a car is like a car hitting a pop can.
4. Parked railway cars can move at any time and you can get hurt, NEVER walk or climb between them. If you’re on one when it moves, you could lose a limb if you’re lucky, and your life if you’re not.
5. Train tunnels and bridges are built for trains, not people. If the train comes, there’s no room for you to get away.
6. Putting things like rocks or wood or cans on the train tracks can cause accidents. When the train hits the object, it can fly up and hurt someone – even you. Objects placed on tracks can even cause the train to come off its tracks and crash. Don’t put things on tracks and don’t go on the tracks.
7. A stopped train can suddenly start moving. If you are on or near the train, you could be badly hurt. Be smart and STAY AWAY!

The reality is that one wrong move around the tracks can be fatal. So what can you do to stay alive? It’s simple. Stay off! Stay away! And always remember to: Look! Listen! Live!