railroad-crossing
brochure released
In light of the hazards associated
with railroad crossings and trains, Operation
Lifesaver Inc. and USRider have
teamed up to develop The Railroad
Crossing Tips for Equestrians brochure,
a resource with tips for safely approaching
and crossing railroad tracks
while towing a horse trailer.
In a review of more than 400 horsetrailer
accidents, the accidents involving
trains had a very high likelihood of
a human or equine fatality. If you must
cross railroad tracks, proceed cautiously,
especially when the tracks are
higher than the road grade.
If the horse trailer becomes lodged
on a railroad crossing, call the emergency
notification number posted on
or near the crossing, or call 911 or local
law enforcement. Evacuate all humans
and animals from the towing vehicle
and trailer. It takes a mile or more for a
train to stop, so if a train is approaching,
stay put until the train passes.
Download the brochure by clicking
on the arrow below. USR
Railroad Crossing Tips
for Equestrians
P R O V I D E D I N T H E I N T E R E S T O F S A F E T Y
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) and USRider Equestrian Motor Plan
remind equestrians and drivers of vehicles pulling horse trailers to be
especially cautious around railroad tracks and trains.
RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE RIGHT OF WAY ON EITHER
SIDE OF THEM ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY.
� Ride only on an authorized and clearly marked trail. Not only is it
extremely dangerous to ride on or near railroad tracks, but it is
Recent research into 400 horse trailers incidents showed an inordi-
also considered trespassing, which is illegal.
nate number involving gooseneck horse trailers becoming stuck on
� Never assume the track is no longer in use, even if foliage
railroad crossings. Nearly all of these incidents resulted in loss of
appears to be growing between the rails.
human and equine life. To avoid tragedy, remember the following
guidelines.
� Never attempt to cross railroad tracks at any place other
than a clearly marked highway-rail grade crossing or public
access crossing.
� Don’t be tempted to try to beat a train. An approaching train
� A hoof can get caught in the gap between rail and road surface.
may be closer and traveling faster than it appears.
It is best to dismount and lead your horse across the railroad
� A vehicle pulling a horse trailer may take more time to clear a
crossing.
crossing than you anticipated.
� Trains cannot stop quickly. The average freight train traveling at
� Modern trains run swiftly and quietly on solid-weld steel rails.
55 miles per hour takes a mile or more to stop. That’s 18 football
Don’t count on hearing the old-time “clickety-clack” sound as one
fields. If the locomotive engineer can see you, it’s too late to stop
approaches.
the train.
� Locomotive engineers generally are required to blow the train
� At multiple track crossings, the number of tracks will be shown.
horn at all crossings. They also will blow the horn as a warning if
Your view of a second train may be blocked by the first. Do not
they see a hazard (such as a horse and rider riding too close to
proceed until you can see clearly in both directions.
the tracks for safety).
� Always expect a train! Trains can run on any track, at any time,
� Low- clearance equipment can get stuck on “humped”
in either direction!
crossings, where tracks are higher than the road
grade. Assume the warning sign before a railroad
track is meant for you. Find an alternate route!
� Before you cross, be sure there is room on the other side for your
trailer to completely clear the tracks without stopping. Trains
overhang tracks by at least 3 feet on both sides. For safety, leave It’s free. Across the nation certified Operation Lifesaver Presenters
at least 15 feet between your trailer and the nearest rail.
are available to speak to student drivers, professional drivers, school
� Be especially careful if you must travel across a private access
bus operators, general motorists, and 4-H and community groups.
farm-rail crossing that is not equipped with warning signs, lights,
bells or gates.
Would you like to help deliver Operation Lifesaver’s safety
� Never stop on tracks to open or close gates!
message in your community? Find out about becoming trained as
an Operation Lifesaver Presenter or Associate.
� Check hitch pins to ensure they cannot dislodge while crossing
railroad tracks.
Visit www.oli.org or call Operation Lifesaver, Inc., at
� Secure loads inside the trailer so materials are not dislodged
1-800-537-6224 to contact your State Coordinator. To contact
while crossing.
USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, visit www.usrider.org.
� Avoid tips and spills. Make sure your vehicle and the trailer are
properly lined up with the crossing before you proceed.
� Weather conditions create additional hazards. Snow or fog can
muffle the sound of an approaching train. Rain or ice can make
crossings slick when roads are not.
� If your horse trailer becomes stuck on the tracks, get people and
animals out and far away from the tracks immediately.
� Call the emergency notification number posted on or near the
crossing, or notify law enforcement. Look for a US DOT number,
six digits plus a letter, to identify the crossing.
INFORMATION FOR TOWING HORSE TRAILERS:
IF YOU SEE A TRAIN COMING, WAIT!
DON’T GET STUCK ON THE TRACK!
DON’T LOSE YOUR LOAD OR A LIFE!
GET OUT! GET AWAY!
USRider ® Equestrian Motor Plan
Hitch Up! Magazine • Fall 2008
INFORMATION FOR EQUESTRIANS
TRAINS CAN SURPRISE YOU AND YOUR HORSE
YOU CAN HELP OPERATION LIFESAVER
SAVE LIVES!
SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION.
VOLUNTEER!
VISIT
1420 King Street, Suite 401
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2750
TF 1-800-537-6224
PH 703-739-0308
FX 703-519-8267
W www.oli.org
Click here
to download
this
important
document
to your hard
drive.
SAFETY NEWS
prevent carbon-Monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially deadly gas produced
any time a carbon-based fuel (such as gasoline,
propane, charcoal, or oil) burns. Sources include gasoline
engines, generators, cooking ranges, and space
heaters. Carbon monoxide is undetectable — it has
no color, no odor, no taste; it causes no respiratory
irritation; it mixes evenly with the air.
Victims of CO poisoning usually aren’t aware they’re being exposed to the
deadly gas and become impaired in ways that can lead to death. Symptoms of
carbon-monoxide poisoning include light-headedness, dizziness, headaches, nausea,
confusion, and vomiting. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or very
short exposure to high concentrations can lead to death.
Take precautions to avoid CO poisoning. “We do not recommend any type
of heating system to be used in horse trailers, unless the heater is one that was
installed by the manufacturer,” said Mark Cole, managing member of USRider.
“Factory-installed heating systems should be serviced annually by a professional
and operated strictly under recommendations of the manufacturer.”
Further, avoid using a stove for heat under any circumstances. Install a carbonmonoxide
detector in any trailer that has gas appliances. Be aware of the risks,
ensure sufficient ventilation, and properly install and maintain equipment. USR
Usrider Mobile website
USRider has developed a mobile version of its website created specially for
mobile devices with Internet access: www.usrider.mobi. There’s no cost to access
this site; it’s available to both members and non-members for free. Information
includes safety bulletins, equine trailer safety tips, horse-trailer first-aid kits, and
a pre-trip checklist for horse trailers that USRider developed in cooperation with
Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez.
USRider’s mobile website has
mapping features that help you find
the most direct route and locate the
lowest prices for gasoline and diesel
fuel in the vicinity. You can also
access USRider’s Winner’s Circle
Advantage member benefits program,
through which you can view
participating vendors, and find deals
on horse-related items and services,
while on the road. USR
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