Cruise (podium) recalled an incident in February at the Boices Lane crossing
near a busy shopping area
TOWN OF ULSTER – Police agencies throughout Ulster County will
be handing out information fliers as part of an outreach program in partnership
with CSX railroad and Operation Lifesaver, to reduce accidents at railroad
crossings.
Railroad officials gathered at the Boices Lane grade crossing in Lake Katrine on Tuesday, highlighting the issue of motorist and pedestrian safety. They were joined by police brass from nearby agencies.
Later this summer, strict enforcement of the laws governing trespass across railroad property will be implemented. There are approximately 70 grade crossings in Ulster County.
“This is something that we have been struggling with, as an industry, for many, many years, as to how to educate people to make them understand the dangers that are associated with being on or around the railroad,” said Robert Rohauer, CSX’s manager for community affairs and safety.
Town of Ulster Police Chief Anthony Cruise said over the last 10 years in his town, there have been eight pedestrian-train accidents, most of them fatalities. The City of Kingston has had similar numbers.
“Back in February, we had a girl struck right here just prior to the Boices Lane intersection, from walking on the tracks,” Cruise said. “Through the investigation we learned she was using this as a thoroughfare to get to where she was going here in town, from residence in the neighborhood, she was desensitized to the fact that when she heard the horn, that meant she was in the way, she thought it was for the crossing, and didn’t understand that.”
Ulster Town Supervisor James Quigley had a message for motorists and pedestrians.
“Pay attention when you come to the railroad tracks,” Quigley cautioned. “Don’t run the gates, and if you choose to use the tracks as a passage for pedestrian travel, please pick someplace else to go.”
Evan Eisenhandler, the executive director of Operation Lifesaver New York, noted trains take over one mile to stop when traveling 55 miles per hour. That’s the length of over 18 football fields.
“Just because you are in a rush, running late, we can’t change physics,” Eisenhandler said. “Your life is important. We’d love to be able to stop more quickly; physically it’s impossible. At a grade crossing, when you make that decision, take that factor into consideration. Think of the consequences.”
At grade railroad crossings have become increasingly more of a concern after a woman’s SUV was stopped on Metro-North Railroad tracks in Westchester County earlier this year. An oncoming trained killed the motorist and a number of passengers on the train.
