A single lady, I know casually, posted a photo on Facebook of her thirteen year old daughter and a friend of her daughter posing on an active railroad track. It was at a restored depot that has a chain link fence between the track and building. I want to inform the lady that that is dangerous behavior, but, I don't want to come off as a jerk.
I would like to hear any suggestions as to how to inform this lady.
Thank you, all, in advance,
James
Maybe post a link to an article about railroad/pedestrian accidents as a comment?
Good luck with it, though. Most people don't care, and no matter how diplomatic you are, there will be people who will take you to task on it... I mean, aside from a trespassing charge and possible death, what can happen?
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
OLI "Tresspasser" pamphlet....or get OLI coordinator in touch with the middle school. (maybe show school safety resource officer or principal why the concern)
http://oli.org/education-resources/pedestrian-safety
http://oli.org/ Never again is too soon to do an accident survey.
(Hope that wasn't Sikeston or Dexter)
I wish, I REALLY wish, some railroad, commercial or transit, somewhere, anywhere, would publish some photos of what dead tresspassers look like.
It might do more to stop irresponsible behavior than anything else.
Chances of it happening, zilch. Publishing said photos might damage some-ones tender psyche, don't you know?
child endagerment ?
Perhaps a talking to by a police officer may convince her not to do that. Last summer I told a deputy friend of a grandfather walking a small child down the tracks. He had a chat with grandpa and informed him of the danger. Had he been seen by a railroad cop he surely would have gotten a ticket.
Norm
A local professional photographer here in MN poses high school students on the track. Admittedly it is a very lightly used line. I just sent the photographer a text that explained that the photos could be used as tresspassing and endangerment evidence. The photos disappeared off Facebook. Hopefully that will stay in their brain for a while. I stopped being careful and respectful and took a hard line. The local high schoolers look at me strange but they don't take pictures on the track. (Plus the guy that runs the little short line is about twice my size and doesn't want to see anyone around his tracks.)
James, if you're a Facebook friend of this lady's, it is not out of line for you to voice your concern, together with the suggestion that she remove the photo. Further, if she doesn't, you should print out a copy to show your local constabulary; perhaps they'll pay her a visit. As a friend, you'd much rather be in the doghouse than the parlor (for her daughter's funeral, that is!).
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
You could simply tell your facebook friend that you don't want to have to attend her daughter's closed-casket funeral. Being hit by a train is very destructive to the Mark I mod 0 human bod. You can add that you want her to enjoy her daughter's company for years to come, which will become less likely if the youngster puts herself (or is put) in harm's way.
Don't tempt fate. It might yield to temptation.
Chuck
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