Data shows Georgia was third worst for railroad crossing crashes | Georgia

(The Heart Sq.) — Knowledge exhibits Georgia is among the many worst states for grade crossing crashes.

In keeping with Operation Lifesaver, citing preliminary 2021 Federal Railroad Administration statistics, Georgia had 132 grade crossing collisions with eight deaths and 37 accidents. The Peach State ranked behind Texas and California for the variety of collisions.

In keeping with the Georgia Division of Transportation, in 2018-20, there have been 283 crashes with 22 fatalities and 63 accidents at grade crossings within the state. Between 2018-20, 12.4% of all accidents and 5.3% of all fatalities occurred at grade crossings with gates.

Jennie Glasgow, Operation Lifesaver’s state coordinator for Georgia, informed The Heart Sq. it’s not essentially shocking the state nears the highest of the checklist, contemplating it is likely one of the extra populous states and is a crucial railroad state.

The variety of crashes in Georgia elevated from a mean of 81 in 2010-12 to 99 per 12 months in 2017-19, even because the annual variety of crashes throughout 2009-19 nationally stayed fixed.

Throughout Georgia, there are greater than 5,000 railroad crossings. Nevertheless, lower than half — roughly 45.2% — have gates, whereas about 2.9% have flashing lights however no gates.

The bulk — roughly 51.9% — are so-called “passive” crossings, which means they don’t have flashing lights or gates.

It begs the query: Would extra funding from the state or federal authorities scale back the variety of crashes at grade crossings?

“Actually extra funding helps, however cash doesn’t resolve all issues,” Benjamin Dierker, director of public coverage on the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure, informed The Heart Sq..

“The great factor is that highway-rail crossing incidents have declined significantly from 20 years in the past and principally plateaued at a decrease degree as we speak,” Dierker added. “Little question, funding is partially accountable – each as investments in expertise/infrastructure and thru consciousness and schooling.”

Dierker famous that funding may be helpful to native governments with jurisdiction over the roadways and crossings.

“Gates and infrastructure enhancements are very helpful in stopping crossing accidents, however native governments usually lack the sources (or don’t prioritize their funds) for this objective,” Dierker stated. “That makes state or federal grants helpful for serving to native governments make these infrastructure enhancements.

“That stated, as a result of cash doesn’t resolve all the issues, one other is driver conduct,” Dierker added. “Even with top-notch infrastructure and totally funded consciousness campaigns, we’ll all the time have erratic drivers, intoxicated crossers, trespassers, and extra.”