Railroads should be notified of track crossings

Following the investigation of a Nov. 17, 2000, Intercession City, Fla., collision involving an Amtrak train and a tractor-combination vehicle, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that drivers of low clearance, slow-moving vehicles notify railroads before track crossings. The NTSB also concluded that had the Florida Department of Transportation been notified of the vehicle crossing via language on the permit, the accident might have been avoided. "Grade crossings like this one...can be eliminated," said NTSB Chairwoman Marion C. Blakey. "Notification to the railroads of scheduled crossings of low-clearance, slow moving and wide loads will help provide safe passage of these vehicles." A summary of the NTSB report and recommendations is available now at www.ntsb.gov