BEATING THE TRAIN

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

BEATING THE TRAIN
EPHRATA, PA: NancyK@???.com observes that a number of drivers stop their vehicles on the railroad crossing and too often one gets demolished by the on-coming train. She asks, “Why do they drive onto the tracks and stop?” Nancy, I do not know why. It seems stupid to do that but psychologists say that the things we do which appear dumb to others seem rational to us at the time we do them.

Perhaps these errant drivers thought they had enough room to squeeze in behind the vehicle ahead. Or their auto stalled (unlikely for newer cars). Or when they saw the train coming they panicked and simply froze at the controls. One might suppose that a very few did it on purpose. Or, or, or - we can continue to speculate but lets just say they made a mistake. Sometimes a deadly one.

Annually there are more than 600 persons killed at rail crossings in the USA. A fully loaded train at average speed requires 1.5 miles to come to a complete stop. Most rail crossings have signals and most of them work properly. It must be a conscious choice to move forward when crossing signals and train whistles are warning of the danger. Even if the train is stopped at the crossing do not believe it is safe to ignore the warnings. There may be another train approaching on a parallel track which you cannot see because the other train blocks your line of sight.

And, of course, at unguarded crossings STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN

But, as Nancy asks, what causes drivers to stop on the tracks? Why do some drivers weave around the lowered guard arms? What is your answer?
GHD203 all rights reserved

HIGHER SPEEDS DO NOT KILL MORE

HIGHER SPEEDS DO NOT KILL MORE
ARMONK, NY: Longtime reader, Adele A., tells me that a column I wrote several years ago has been proven wrong. At that time I reported the fears of many traffic experts that raising the long standing Interstate speed limits to above 55 mph would cause many more crashes, and fatal ones at that. Adele refers me to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics which show that traffic deaths dropped to a new low in 1998. True, even in the 33 states which immediately raised their speed limits in 1995.

In 1998 there were 66,00 fewer highway injuries than in 1995. In fact, in 1997 the number of injuries per 100 million miles dropped to a new record low. The question has been raised, though, whether the drivers tend to be more alert to the potential danger while traveling faster, or do many continue to drive at the older lower speeds, or are our newer automobiles safer at any speed? Some data suggests that average highway speeds driven have remained below truly dangerous levels.

Older drivers may feel uncomfortable at the new maximum allowable speeds. There appear to be a larger number of white-haired drivers moving at slower speeds, often to the annoyance of other motorists. Should followers of this column come upon additional information on speed related subjects please tell us on this blog.
GHD202 all rights reserved