Minnesota railroads are serious about safety and security issues-safety for the motoring public andf pedestrians, and in promoting a secure transportation system. As the State of Minnesota grows in population, the amount of congestion on public streets and highways is projected to grow. Conflicts between motor vehicles, pedestrians, bikers, and trains can be very serious, especially as motor vehicles include such distractions as air conditioning, stereo systems, cell phones, and other items of equipment that have a tendency to distract a driver. An alert pedestrian or driver is always on the lookout for trains at every railroad crossing.

Minnesota's railroads experience risky driver behavior frequently at highway-road crossings. Collisions do happen between trains and drivers or pedestrians, mostly because drivers or persons hiking near tracks are not paying attention. A sad fact is that motorists are 40 times more likely to die in a collision with a train as opposed to a collision with another motor vehicle. Most locomotives weigh in excess of 270,000 lbs, and they simply cannot stop in time to avoid collisions where motorists occupy a crossing at the same time a train is moving through it.

It is essential that every motorist, biker, or pedestrian be fully aware of their surroundings when they are near or approaching a railroad line. Drivers who speed up to beat a train to a crossing, or who ignore flashers or crossing warning gates are courting death or serious injury for themselves and their passengers.

Security Around Railroad Tracks:
Unauthorized persons on railroad property are trespassing and can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Laws related to public safety and homeland security are in place to protect all of us. Do not trespass on railroad property by hiking along tracks, hunting, or fishing off railroad property. Railroad yards are potentially dangerous places for pedestrians, so please observe no trespassing signs and stay out of railroad switching areas.

Further Information:
Please contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Operation Lifesaver, Inc. or the Federal Railroad Administration offices, or see each agency's website listed in the Links section of this MRRA website!

The federal Homeland Security Agency also has a website where railroad safety is discussed at www.homelandsecurityagency.gov.