If a train hits a car, do they have to stop?

Question

The hubby and I had an argument. He says if a train hits a car it does NOT have to stop. I say it's common sense, the train MUST stop if involved in any accident. Who's right, and where can I direct him to prove it?

Answer 1

Of course!! to see if there are any survivors!! since he has to repor it, he wants to make sure who's fault it was!!

Answer 2

if the Trian hits anything, eventually it will stop.......most anything a train hits will disable it enough for the engineer to know something is wrong

Answer 3

You are correct.  State laws require the train crew to stop and render aid, and the railroad's own operating rules do, too.

Answer 4

I think in any kind of accident, whether it's a train or a car, you must stop. I don't see how anyone could argue otherwise. It really is common sense.

Answer 5

Yes, it must stop!  But no one can tell where that will be.

Trains are hard to stop. I suspect that the Transportation Safety Administration would like to look at the event.

Answer 6

Train has to stop but it takes longer for a train to stop

Answer 7

train better stop to see if someones hurt and etc.

Answer 8

It's not just common sense, it's the law. A colision with another vehicle requires that both vehicles stop - regardless of the damage. Unless a train hits Bullwinkle or Yogi then it must stop.

Answer 9

Hubby is wrong, but there is a problem with semantics in the question as well.

Trains don't hit cars.  Car drivers put the car in the train's way.  Never has there been a documented case of a train looking for a car, lurking in the shadows.

Yes, you stop.  As a matter of fact you will put the train in emergency, putting many, many people at risk.  But it never makes any difference.  Usually multiple dead people are the results of the engineer's best efforts.  But the attempt to stop is genuine, though always ineffective.  It rarely helps a head end crew sleep at night.

The sad thing is cars do get hit and it is almost always 99.99% avoidable.  Even with the efforts of Operation Lifesaver and other volunteer educational programs, deaths at grade crossings continue to rise.  With the current trend, grade crossing fatalities will surpass the numbers of those killed in drunk driving accidents.

Answer 10

The train has to stop, but it takes about 1 mile from impact before the train comes to a complete stop.

Answer 11

Yes a train must stop if involved in an accident. Any one of the major carriers websites will have contact information under pages such as "Public Safety"

Answer 12

Hubby is wrong.

Answer 13

The train will be required to stop.  This is not only dictated by the operating rules of the railroad, but also common sense.

We're required to stop whenever a pedestrian and/or vehicle strikes our train.  We will provide first aid where possible, but consider that a collision that severe would produce injuries far beyond anything our standard first aid could help.  Some train crews elect to stay inside the cab and wait for the paramedics and police to arrive, to avoid psychological trauma.

Your husband's lack of common sense in this area is worrisome.  I bear witness to the stupidity of drivers and pedestrians on a daily basis, and most probably don't even realize the terrible danger they're putting themselves and others in.

I think your husband could benefit from some serious education on rail safety.  Look up Operation Lifesaver in any search engine, and visit them for some eye-opening (and potential life-saving) material.

Answer 14

Yes, It must stop for investigations!!

Answer 15

yep. I guess you're the smart one in your house.

Answer 16

Yes they will stop... unless they are unaware that it happened.  Also... if it is a busy track they may wait to stop until they are clear of the busy track depending on the damage of the train.

Answer 17

The train must stop but it might take a mile or so to do....

Answer 18

why dont you park your car in front of an oncoming train that will show him