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Show UTAH HISTORICAL QUARTERLY While the number of train-automobile collisions and fatalities have fallen in frequency over the years, the problem still persists despite the widespread use of safety appliances at crossings, such as warning lights and crossing arms, and safety education programs and public service advertisements. In 2008, there were 2,426 collisions involving trains in the United States and 290 people died.34 The Burgon’s Crossing accident and others like it did have a positive effect. Any child who has ridden a school bus may have noticed that the school bus stops at every railroad crossing and the driver opens the front side door while looking both directions down the tracks. That simple act of opening the front door would have saved twenty-three students and a bus driver in 1938. 34 “Crossing Collisions & Casualties By Year Operation Lifesaver, Inc.,” <http://oli.org/aboutus/news/collisions-casulties/>, accessed November 5, 2012. 168 |
