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Many Warning Signs Placed Near Tracks Ignored
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CBS
Every day Americans are being killed on the tracks. Despite repeated warnings and millions of dollars invested in safety measures.
Adam May investigates why those efforts are failing to save lives.
Two 17-year-olds Connor Peterson and Kyle Wankmiller were struck and killed while walking on the light rail tracks in Timonium.
"The boys walked on what they thought was a safe track," said Mary Wankmiller, victim's mother.
In April, 14-year-old Prince Tyre was hit by a train in Prince George's County, taking a short cut to school.
"I love him to death, I miss him, I miss him so much," said Mary Tyre, victim's sister.
Last year, more than 450 people died on railroad tracks in the United States, including seven, right here Maryland.
Dick Ratcliffe is with Operation Lifesaver. It's an organization funded by the government and railroad companies to spread the word that walking down all train tracks is dangerous and engineers are basically powerless.
"A 100 car freight train takes a mile or more to stop at 50 miles per hour," said Ratcliffe.
While many tresspassing accidents involve people who are either suicidal or under the influence, one in four accidents involve people simply walking on the rails.
The railroads spend millions a year, fencing off trespassing hot spots. Officials call it a loosing battle. Often times fences are cut open and vandalized, like the one in Laurel where the teenager died.
As for warning signs, Eyewitness News cameras easily captured people igorning them, walking near the scene of the deadly Timonium accident.
Newer train tracks are quieter, because of the way they're built now. So it's harder for people to hear or feel a train coming.
"Years ago, that constant clickity clack created a vibration, you don't feel that anymore," said Ratcliffe.
"Kyle and Connor were totally insperable," said Wankmiller. "Fortunately, they died together. At least the two of them are together."
Experts say there's only one solution. Stay off the tracks.
The Timinioum Light Rail accident remains under investigation.
It's still unclear why the operator didn't report seeing the boys before they were hit.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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