Gates, lights and crossbuck signs at crossings are meant to save lives

Sate Journal Register

April 2, 1999

Dear Editor,

The site is Bourbonnais, at least for the moment. March 15th, 14 lives were lost while one still remained, the driver's. Hundreds of lives were changed forever because of an action by one person. The site tomorrow can be Springfield, Carbondale or St. Louis In Illinois there are more than 10,000 public grade crossings, of which almost half are not signalized. In 1997 there were 213 collisions in Illinois, of which 85 people were injured and 27 peple were killed. Illinois is third in the nation in both fatalities and collisions and fourth in injuries. Now, most will remind that the numbers are going down nationwide as well as statewide, yet we (Illinois) are still leading the pack. Gates and lights and crossbuck signs are meant to save lives. Two and a half years ago one of my closest friends was struck and killed at a crossing in southern Illinois. The crossing had no lights or gates and my friend didn't have a choice to make. He didn't have to decide to stop at flashing lights and gates , you do. You are the keeper of those in your vehicle. Please always look for a train. And never try and go around a gate, even if you tie with the train you lose. In early 1998 the Coalition for Safer Crossings was formed to help prevent collisions and investigate collisions. If you would like additional information concerning the coalition please visit http://www.safercrossings.8m.com .

Scott C. Gauvin

Founder, Coalition for Safer Crossings

Springfield