I'm only posting this because we're seeing entirely preventable fatalities on train tracks, light rail and heavy rail. The common factor appears to be headphones (earbuds, likely) while people are crossing (or walking on!) rail tracks.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Train+commuters+urged+attention/5829109/story.html

http://www.leducrep.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3470400

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/02/21/calgary-banff-man-dead-train.html

If each of you would kindly elbow people in your circle and remind them that earbuds make them 90% blind (i.e., dangerously oblivious), I would appreciate it.

I'm of the opinion that if it wasn't headphones, it would be something else. Texting, etc... A lot of people just lack situational awareness even without much distraction.

A girl that my wife graduated school with was text messaging and walked out in front of a train. All the witnesses said the train was blowing it's horn and there was a clear line of sight, she never looked up from her phone.

I've run into it too, though thankfully never run over it. The instances that I remember most happened on a paved trail around the local lake. The first was a F-250 maintanence truck trailing behind a jogger who was wearing headphones. The guy was completely oblivious. I had to ride up and tap him on the shoulder before he realized there was three tons of Detroit rolling iron crawling up his back.

The second involved a roller blader taking up the entire 20+ft width of the trail with his duck walk. Repeated "On your left!" and "On your right!" warning were completely ignored, and he only realized I was there when I road up about 3 ft behind him an yelled "pick a side!".

Whatever happened to "look both ways before crossing the street"?


We need a "<Bleeping> pay attention!!" Demotivational poster.

I listen to my mp-3 while running and walking. But I am ALWAYS aware of my surroundings. I'm wondering why they didn't feel the vibrations through thier feet?

It's a fair question. One consideration is that that these incidents are near to or inside of urban areas, where the trains basically idle along. Unless you're touching the rail, you might not know they're there. That's on purpose; they're running as quiet as possible.

But when they hit that main horn, they're pretty hard to miss. I suppose a fellow with a 12-ga. firing rubber bullets at the various grizzlies, moose, and earbudded-humans would be quite effective at preventing fatalities; though the optics would be universally lousy.

EDIT: Please note, I am not trying to be snarky or dismissive. One of these fatalities occurred a few minutes from where I live. It's a d@mn waste, and I sympathize with the family.

I think it is Complete Stupidity on behalf of the parents,or Maybe not,Did they have Life Insurance on their kid?The main point being,Responsibility,plain & simple!It seems to be lacking in this day & age,& the lessons of such at Great Cost,It is Truly a Waste!

I went for that walk and was nearly ran over. I stopped and said "...This is not smart." So I stopped doing it.