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The new crossing gates greatly improve the safety of the RR<br>
crossing, but it is still dangerous. This crossing was rated as<br>
one of the 10 most dangerous in the state and a great many<br>
accidents happen there. I know of two in just the last 4 months. <br>
We continue to be lucky and have only experienced relatively <br>
minor accidents. <br>
<br>
Safety improvements are still needed: Better lighting; painted<br>
cross walks; no turns from Lafayette onto the RR crossing and<br>
vice-versa.<br>
<br>
Break Away Gates…<br>
<br>
By the way, the gates are made to break away. If you somehow <br>
get caught between them, just drive thru the gate. Of course, <br>
this assumes that you can get past the other cars and buses!<br>
<br>
Turning Buses Totally Block the Intersection…<br>
<br>
A day or two after the recent bus accident, I watched a bus make<br>
the left from Lafayette onto the tracks. It completely blocked<br>
the intersection and forced vehicles to stop <b>on the tracks. </b>The<br>
vehicles were totally hemmed in by the bus and the cars in front<br>
and behind them. Had a train come along at that moment, a<br>
horrible accident would have happened. That is a time bomb<br>
waiting to go off.<br>
<br>
At a bare minimum, buses need to be routed so they do not make <br>
a left turn from Lafayette onto the tracks. <br>
<br>
I wonder if we have the foresight to act now to improve our RR<br>
crossing safety. Can we be prodded into action by relatively<br>
minor accidents or do we have to wait until something horrible<br>
happens, like a death or a toxic waste spill?<br>
<br>
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