Harvest season is upon us. There is always a sense of urgency to get the crop in before Mother Nature pulls the rug out from under us. We always focus on reminding folks to be mindful of the larger equipment on the road. Producers are moving implements and large trucks down many rural roads. However, farmers and rural residents also need to be aware of rural train crossings.
Every three hours a train is involved in an accident with a vehicle or a pedestrian. Rachel Maleh is the Executive Director for Operation Lifesaver. She says distraction is the number one culprit for these accidents.
Railroad crossings are even more dangerous in rural areas, especially on gravel roads where there may only be the crossbuck signs to warn you of a train. Farmers need to heed five tips when dealing with these types of encounters.
Maleh says if you can follow these safety tips, you can set an example for others to follow. Eventually, these practices can catch on.
