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Hello mikepapula, Thanks for bringing up the topic. However, there are flaws in your argument. First, there are many more vehicles per capita in the U.S. compared to Europe, hence more opportunities for train vs. vehicle collisions. Also, although I don't have data in front of me to confirm this, I would wager there are fewer grade crossings per mile in Europe than in the U.S. This also greatly reduces the opportunity for incidents. Second, state highway departments are largely responsible for grade crossings, not railroads. That's because the roads arrived after the railroads and had to secure easements over the right of ways. Railroads maintain their grade crossing warning equipment and the immediate right of way. But state and local governments have to ante up if citizens want more or different warning devices at grade crossings. Thirdly, Operation Lifesaver has proven to be an extraordinary success. Since its inception in 1972 the number of train vs. vehicle collisions has dropped almost four-fold, and there are more vehicles in the U.S. today than there were 30 years ago. Those kinds of statistics don't lie. Bottom line is that, except in rare cases, the fault for a collision lies with the inattentive/aggressive driver or trespasser, not the railroad. Having had two very close calls myself while in the cab of a locomotive, it would be difficult to convince me otherwise. Regards, Paul Schmidt Contributing Editor Trains.com
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