Billboards promoting crossing safety

[zardoz]

From the Clarion Ledger Mississippi News:

BILOXI — CSX Railroad has posted three billboards along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to grab the attention of motorists and encourage them to think twice about trying to beat a train at a crossing.

The tagline on each ad: "If you're thinking about beating a train, don't."

CSX has 30,000 crossings in 23 states.
CSX spokesman Gary Sease said the new ads target areas such as Harrison County that have a high volume of train traffic and crossings with numerous collisions.

The message, "People outrun trains in movies. They also save the world, get the girl and own a talking dog," is written in white letters on a dark background that features barren trees and a bright light in the distance.

Sease said some might perceive the light as the headlight of an oncoming train.

The two other ads also feature a stark landscape with leafless trees. One ad simply states, "Closed casket," while the other states, "Tie goes to the train."

Sease said the same ads also are on billboards in Toledo, Ohio, another place with numerous train accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians.

There have been eight deaths involving train collisions in Harrison County this year. Harrison County is ranked third in the nation per capita in highway railroad crossing collisions, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

Although the new ad campaign and proposed closings in Gulfport are separate actions, Sease said they both have the same goal.

"We want to prevent collisions and prevent deaths and injuries at railroad crossings," Sease said.

CSX and MDOT have proposed closing 12 crossings in Gulfport, but city officials have refused to approve the proposal. Mayor Ken Combs wants at least some of the crossings closed; the majority of the council wants them open.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040808/NEWS01/408080357/1002

[Anonymous]

Out in Ohio.... But a Radical group "Angels on track" They have Billboards "...Bad crossings kill good drivers..." Now the last time I seen a crossing jump up and attack a driver is beond me... Also... If they would have stoped (even slowed) and looked, It could have been avoided...

[MP57313]

Hopefully the billboards will do some good.

Are the billboards in Miss. (or Ohio) near any "mainline" crossings with just a wooden or metal crossbuck?

MP

[Anonymous]

I think that every train engine should have a little statement that says "TRAINS WIN, YOU LOSE!" So that if someone tries to beat a train buts gets hit then they would see that messege. Now they wont try beat another train again.

[JoeKoh]

See them drive around gates all the time.Glad that they are trying to promote safety but somepeople still wont get it.
stay safe
joe

[UPTRAIN]

I like the billboard here with the Cotton Belt B30-7 plowing over an old pinto in a cloud of dust, that'll make ya think twice.

[Anonymous]

It's great to know that people are getting the message out there. I haven't seen any actual billboards in my area, but I have noticed Operation Lifesaver ads in bus stops.

[wcfan4ever]

I think Porter, IN needs some of those billboards. Everytime I go there, I can't count how many cars see the train, and go around the gates. I have even seen cars go around the gates right in front of cops and they didn't do anything.

There is bound to be an accident in Porter. 24 hours a day it is almost like non stop trains and non-stop vehicles trying to go around. I don't know why they can't wait because the trains do 40+ through there and its usually less than a minute of blocking the crossing...people are just careless.

[Train Guy 3]

The next time a train hits a car, they should place the wrecked car near the crossing. That way people can get a glimpse of what will happen if they try to beat the train.