Troopers: drivers need more caution at rural RR crossings

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By Dal Cannady - bio | email

CLAXTON, GA (WTOC) - Joseph and May Branson left Evans Memorial Hospital Thursday, less than one day after a train struck their pickup truck and pushed it more than 100 feet up the track. It happened at the railroad intersection with Sunbury Road.

"According to the engineer on the train, the guy stopped and looked both ways and still pulled out," stated Claxton Fire Chief Harold Rogers.

The couple escaped with just minor injuries, but stayed in the hospital for observation. It took wrecker crews more than an hour to pull the pickup back to a clearing where they could load the truck and let the train continue. Troopers say they've monitored this intersection before and watched people disregard the stop sign and crossing marks.

"We've still seen vehicles come through and not even touch their breaks, going 30 to 55 miles an hour over the railroad tracks," explained Senior Trooper Tommy Strickland of the Georgia State Patrol.

The crash was the second between trains and trucks in 2010.

Even scarier is the fact it all happened right next to a propane gas station. Two crashes here have everyone urging drivers to be more cautious.

"It's marked, well marked and wide open at the intersection," Chief Rogers added.

"Take your time, don't get in a hurry. If you see a train coming, go ahead and stop," Strickland urged.

For more information about railroad crossings, visit http://www.oli.org/education_resources/rail_signs.htm and http://www.oli.org/education_resources/safety_tips.htm.