Connecticut leaders kick off Rail Safety Week to reduce pedestrian-related accidents

BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) — Steve Bransfield is a huge rail fan. He comes out to watch the trains a few times a week and has made a few observations about commuters.

“They’re looking at other things, sometimes they look at their phone when they should pay more attention to what their surroundings are,” he said.

Paying attention is paramount, the Connecticut Department of Transportation said, because a train can’t stop abruptly. It can’t swerve, and it’s often going faster than it looks. That’s why the message at this year’s train safety campaign, See Tracks Think Train initiative, is don’t underestimate a train.

“Moving trains are unforgiving,” Berlin Police Chief Matthew McNally said. “So far in Connecticut for 2024 – there have been eight incidents on the rails.”

According to the CTDOT, of those eight incidents, four have been pedestrian strikes, three were crossing collisions and one case involved a commuter that fell off a platform.

“Folks need to realize every time they see lights flashing – there is no way to outrun a train,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said.

The rail safety campaign was hosted in partnership with Operation Lifesaver, a rail safety education non-profit.

Trespassing is the leading cause of train-related deaths, according to the CTDOT. In 2023 there were nine train versus pedestrian fatalities. Six were suicides.

Vehicle versus train collisions are also common each year. There was one fatality in 2023.

“They stop in the heavy traffic, and next thing you know they’re stopped on the train tracks at the crossing, and the gates come down,” said Kevin Burns, with CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver. “The gates are meant to break away, so if you’re stuck at a crossing, just push out of the way.”

Bransfield echoed that sentiment.

“If you see the flashing lights or the gates wait,” he said. “It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll save your life.”

As for commuters, the CTDOT and first responders want to remind you to never walk on the train tracks and keep your distance from the yellow line on the platform.

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