I have nothing good to say about people who disregard active signals and get hit, and we all know to stop, look, and listen, as well as always expect a train. But let’s take a look at the other side of the issue.
I cross a CSX line twice a day - in the morning on the way to work, and in the afternoon, on my way home. This is a crossing with lights and gates.
I know that there are usually at least two northbound and two southbound through freights each day at that crossing. There are also two locals that may use it, and if they do, they will account for two visits. And you may see an odd reroute from time to time. So, on average, you can probably expect to see six or so trains there every 24 hours.
The usual timing of trains through this particular town puts me in close proximity to trains both in the morning and afternoon. I hear them on the radio getting orders, reporting block stations, and hitting a nearby defect detector. Very often they are within a very few miles of the crossing when I go over it. If I have time, I’ll sometimes hang around to watch them pass, although many’s the time that I’ve heard the defect detector within 10 minutes of my clearing the crossing.
BUT I HAVEN’T SEE A TRAIN THERE IN BETTER THAN THREE WEEKS! AND I’M LOOKING!
For that matter I’ve only been held up by a train there about three times in the past year.
Given my observations, John Q asks, “I rarely / never see any traffic on the line - why should I expect some today?”
As rail buffs and railroaders, we are obviously sensitive to trains. But I’d bet that most of you would be startled if the traffic light in front of the fire station turned red in your face, since you rarely see it.
I’m not justifying these people, just looking at their behavior from a slightly different angle.