How do people get "stuck" in railroad tracks?

Question

because ive been hearing all these deaths from them happening?

Answer 1

They don't really get "stuck" on the tracks.  They get "struck" on the tracks and this usually happens through stupidity or carelessness.

Answer 2

You can get your foot trapped.

You can slip on some of the plentiful grease and oil and, hitting the rail with your head and knock yourself unconscious.

A freight car rolling on its own can sneak up on you without you ever hearing it.

The easiest way to avoid these type accidents is, stay off the tracks.

People don't usually know this, another good reason to stay off the tracks, but as the rail wears, there is "flash" that develops on the inside of the top of the rail.  It is very thin, very hard steel, extremely sharp and it will lay open whatever skin that comes into contact with it as easily as a surgeon's scalpel.  You can bleed to death.  We wear high ankle boots and, we're there only because we have to be.

But, people pull onto the tracks at grade crossings when there is no room to clear on the other side of the tracks, because of traffic.  Train arrives, you and your car depart in pieces.

But, though this situation is usually 100% avoidable, people panic when they get themselves into this situation.  They think of something of value in the rear seat or not wanting to see their car turned into graphite.

What ever it is, it isn't worth it.  Leave the car immediately and get away from it.  They tend to come apart when ten or twelve thousand tons tag 'em at 45 MPH or so.

The key is, don't get stuck.  Even if no train is coming right this second, do not pull onto the tracks until you know for sure you can pull off of them.  The gates themselves are of a "break-away" design.  Drive through them if you must.  Oh, you'll have to have the hood and roof painted, but you'll still have the car, as well as your life.

And, as always, don't trust automatic crossing protection.  They are not fail-safe.

Also, as always, here's a star for a good safety question.

Answer 3

Man i've been stuck on the tracks for 31 years! If you figure out how to get off let me know cause i'm tired! lol  Just kidding ...Hoghead told you all you need to know

Answer 4

People panic and sometimes kill their engine if they are stopped on the tracks and see a train coming or the gates come down. Usually happens if they are stopped for a traffic light or stop sign and didnt think about stopping before they were on the tracks.

Or. . . . . in the dark at many rural corssings people will be trying to cross and miss the planks with a wheel, it can drop down and not be able to get back over the rail.

I had that happen to me, a kid and his date were crossing the tracks to find a secluded place to compare homework notes and he dropped a wheel between the tracks and was stuck. Fortunately he and his date had the presence of mind to get out of the car before we hit it.

I did not envy his phone call to his Dad.