Unfortunately, this inattention can result in needless tragedy. California statistics indicate that 32 collisions resulted in fatalities in 1998, ten more than in 1997. However, Metrolink s fatality incidents have declined over the last year. Metrolink has recorded one fatality this calendar year. Metrolink recorded a total of 13 fatalities in 1998 and 16 in 1997.
Any fatality is one too many.
The challenge is to change the Southern California mindset to always expect a train. Metrolink employees work every day to eliminate deaths and injuries at crossings. Research reveals that the public does not see trains as especially dangerous or life threatening. The majority of younger respondents had never even been on a train. The report indicated that if warning signals are flashing and no train is clearly in sight, drivers assume it has left the scene or is still far in the distance some people estimated trains to be 20 miles away.