Kentucky Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization that works to prevent death and injuries at Highway-Railroad grade crossings and Railroad right-of-ways. Approximately every two hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. About half of all crossing collisions occur at highway-rail intersections with flashing lights and/or gates.
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In the United States approximately every two hours either a vehicle or a pedestrian is struck by a train. A motorist is 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle.
Trains CANNOT stop quickly! An average freight train traveling 55 mph can take a mile or more to stop. That is the length of 18 football fields. For more information on statistics relating to train incidents please visit: http://www.oli.org/statistics/statistics_overview.htm