Why do people think that it's okay to drive around railroad crossings when lights are flashing and gates down

Question

Why do people think that it's okay to drive around railroad crossings when lights are flashing and gates down

Answer 1

Because they havent seen a car get hit by a 10,000 TON freight train. I am a conductor for NS and you wouldnt believe how many pedestrians and cars we hit during our career. Imagine going to work and unwillingly taking someones life because they were to rushed to wait at the crossing. Its not a good feeling and it is something that sticks with you for a long time. So if you are reading this, mind the crossing gates, sit back and relax for a few minutes. It will be good for you.

Answer 2

People will do anything just to save a few minutes, even put their lives at risk.

Answer 3

It's probably because most people assume "It will never happen to ME," and think they can beat the train.  VERY VERY bad idea, of course.

Answer 4

People usually don't encounter trains in their day-to-day lives, and so have little experience with them. They think trains are slow-moving, they can't tell how far the thing is from the crossing, and most of all, they don't respect the flashing lights or horns as "stop" signals.

Answer 5

a lot of times the lights are not working properly and there is no train in sight, sooooo what do you do sit there and wait for a train to come by some time today. If there is a train coming they are stupid.

Answer 6

because they are idiots, just like ones who drive onto pedestrian crossing, run through red light, drive while on cellphone etc etc

Answer 7

Beause they are so important, and they are in a hurry.  They have to be somewhere, and the world won't get in their way.

They do it because they think they can get away with it.

It's all fun and games, until someone gets hurt.

good luck.

Answer 8

Because they are idiots and only care about themselves!

Answer 9

they are in  hurry and dont want to stop for anything

I have a poem I made up about this

it goes

when you see  a train remember to use your brain and do not

try to beat the train as if you do it will be a pain to remove

YOUR REMAINS FROM THE TRAIN..

so remember  your brain and dont try to beat the train

Answer 10

Hog has it down. People who have a death wish. Dont do it its not worth the ten minutes you mave save.

Answer 11

They don't call it "Rat Race" for nothing.

Answer 12

There are two reasons why people ignore that which is intended to save their lives:

1.  Stupidity.  There is no cure for this.  Stupidity is nature's way of thinnin' the herd.

2.  Ignorance.  Many states incorporate "Drivers Education" into their high school curriculum, preparing teens for their first drivers' licenses.  Unfortunately, of those of which I am acquainted, grade crossing safety is not a part of the course.

It is because of this short coming that the 'Operation Lifesaver' program was instituted.  These presentations, put on by railroad employees in voluntary capacity, are presented to younger students as well, as early as the fifth or sixth grade.

If you have children in school, take a pro-active approach and inquire as to whether there is a program such as this available in your school districts.  It is never too early to educate our young ones to the death and destruction that awaits any one foolish enough to ignore any types of warning when on, near or crossing railroad tracks, whether in or on some type of vehicle or as a pedestrian.

These presentations are also given to adults where there day to day employment activities bring them into close contact with moving equipment, such as in factories and lumber mills, for example.

Recently, I had an opportunity to work with the California Highway Patrol at a local high school, doing the sound reinforcement for their presentation called, "Every 15 Minutes." This title alludes to the fact that every 15 minutes, someone in the State of California is a victim of a drunk driver.  When speaking with the officers, I was informed that that number has been reduced to about every thirty minutes.

But, when considering grade crossing fatalities and injuries, that number stands at every 18 minutes.  So, it can be inferred, that you are more likely to be killed by a train than a drunk driver.

Stop. Look. Listen.  This is ones ONLY guarantee of safely crossing the tracks anywhere.  Do not put your faith in grade crossing protection, either.  They are not failsafe.

Answer 13

I have no idea !! These are the same people who creep into the intersection to make a left turn JUST as the light turns red... who babble on their cell-phones while making a right-hand turn without checking for pedestrians... who double park to get their Starbucks... who park in handicapped spaces.

They are idiots who think the rules don't apply to THEM !!

People who are a good recommendation for euthanasia and genetic screening.

Answer 14

Pure unadulterated stupidity....there is no other reason or excuse, these are the same idiots who stop on the tracks when no train is coming if the light is red at the intersection, does not take a second for there to be a train upon them

Answer 15

They don't think it is "ok" Just like any other violation they don't care. Really a simple answer don't you think?

No differrent than doing anything else stupid or high risk and unsafe. Many like to risk it for a kick.

Answer 16

Because they are stupid, and haven't been hit by a train yet.

Answer 17

Because waiting for a train could take anywhere up to 30 seconds! If I stopped and waited for every train that wanted to go in front of me, at the next red light I get to, I'd be waiting for 30 seconds less! Alright, I might get hit by a train, but dying is a small price to pay for getting there quickly.

Answer 18

I believe it's because a lot of people think that those crossings close down earlier than they need to.  Kinda like a caution light.  When they see it go down they figure they still have time to cross.   I'm not condoning the practice.  I would never do that myself.  I'm never in that big a hurry.

Answer 19

Obviously they think they can make it, some do, some dont.

Answer 20

Because they think they'll save time.  In their mind, they think that waiting for a train is going to take 10 or 15 minutes, which is WAY too long.  In reality it might take 2 or 5 minutes, max.  Most trains travel at 30 miles an hour or so in populated areas.  A long train might be 1 mile long, so really it would only take 2 minutes to cross.

Now, if it were a metro train with passengers, it should wizz by pretty quick.  Might take 20 seconds.

So, the answer is that they believe that those 2 minutes are more like 10 minutes.  Thus, they figure their little maneuver will save them that much time.

Surprisingly, people that do that get hit ALL the time.  Trains take hundreds of yards to stop.