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Safety - Traffic Education
Wrong Way Driving
Traffic safety and highway design literature has historically defined a wrong-way driving (WWD) crash as one in which a vehicle traveling in a direction opposing the legal flow of traffic on a high-speed divided highway or access ramp collides with a vehicle traveling on the same roadway in the proper direction. This definition typically concerns only controlled-access highways (freeways) and associated entrance and exit ramps, and excludes crashes that result from median crossover encroachments.
In the United States, WWD crashes result in 300 to 400 people killed each year on average, representing approximately 1 percent of the total number of traffic related fatalities that occur annually. While this is a small percentage overall, because WWD crashes involve head-on or opposite direction sideswipe crashes at high speeds, they tend to be relatively more severe than other types of crashes. However, there are many strategies and treatments that agencies can consider for implementation that are designed to address wrong-way maneuvers, ranging from geometric design elements, to conventional traffic control devices, to various ITS-based solutions.
Source: "Wrong-Way Driving", U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Traffic Signs and Signals
There are traffic rules that say where, when and how fast you can drive. These rules help to keep traffic moving safely. Rules of the road include traffic controls, lane controls, right-of-way laws, and parking rules. Traffic signs tell you about traffic rules, hazards, where you are, how to get where you are going, and where services are located. The shape and color of these signs give clues to the type of information they provide. Traffic controls include traffic signals, traffic signs and pavement markings. Traffic control also can be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards. You must obey directions from these persons.
Source: Texas Department of Transportation
Railroad Safety
Trains have the right of way. Legally, trains have the right of way. Trains are very heavy and can't stop quickly even if they're traveling at low speeds. By the time a locomotive engineer can see you or your car, it's nearly always too late for them to stop to avoid hitting you. Trains also can't swerve to avoid you or your car because they travel on tracks. As a result of these facts, trains have the right of way.
Never trespass or cross tracks illegally. Railroad tracks are private property, not public trails. It's illegal and dangerous to walk on or near tracks unless you're using a designated crossing. It's also illegal and extremely dangerous to drive around closed crossing gates or to ignore flashing warning lights. Trains travel in both directions on all tracks so it's impossible to predict which direction a train will approach from.
Many drivers pay little or no attention at highway-rail crossings they drive across day after day because they never see a train there. They don't realize that freight trains do not run on set schedules and can be anywhere at any time going in any direction! At all crossings, and especially those you are most familiar with - ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN!
While you may think you know the schedules of trains that run through your neighborhood, a train can travel on the tracks at any time. Passenger and regularly scheduled freight trains run early or late. Freight trains are needed to carry goods day and night on sporadic runs. Track maintenance work miles away can require dispatchers to adjust usually steady schedules.
Please contact BNSF at 1-800-832-5452 for any railroad concerns.
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation Website, BNSF
For more information about wrong way driving, traffic signs and signals, and railroad safety, view the below documents.
TEXAS DRIVER HANDBOOK
BNSF GRADE CROSSING SAFETY BROCHURE
WRONG WAY DRIVING: NEW FOCUS ON A PERSISTENT PROBLEM
WRONG WAY DRIVING: HIGHWAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
About the signals along the IH-20 and Highway 67 intersections
The signals along the service road intersections belong to and are maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with the exception of the I-20 and Cockrell Hill Road intersection, which is maintained by the City of Dallas.
You can report any problems to the Dallas District of TxDOT at (214) 320-6200 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Report any emergency situations to the Police Department by calling 9-1-1.
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