I figured as much-- I always wondered why Amtrak seems to have more crossing accidents (Relative to fleet size) compared to the other railroads-- I came to the conclusion that many people expect a slow freight and get a speedy pax train.
From the article linked above, though from a different eyewitness:
I have to agree with Josh McFadden, the eyewitness referred to by PetumaLoco, and disagree with Vaughn. Although the video of the incident has no sound, it's clear that the SUV that the death car passed was stopped, and it wouldn't likely have stopped for no reason. It was stopped for about 14 sec prior to the accident.
Raising the age to 18 ionly works in areas where there is good public transportation. I have no porblem with the 16 year old having a license. I do have a problem with parents being so stupid as to hand the kid a high powered car. There used to be several states that would let you have a drivers license at 15, including mine. I was in my first accident at 19 despite that, and note I said "was in" thanks to a guy that jumped ahead of the green. If you were on a farm, you could get one at 14 in some places. Like some guys I knew said, I have been driving a tractor since I was 10 so keeping a car where it is supposed to be is no big deal. But then, we were all driving functional junk not fancy stuff.
Driver's Ed also has a tendency to be.. less than effective. Education cannot be accomplished en masse like this-- many of my friends who took driver's ed (required if you are under 18 in Ohio, plus 6 months mandatory on temps before you can take your driving exam) are horrible drivers. Those who waited until they're older than 18 are much better for it.
Good thing Ashley Vaughn was nowhere near the crossing, since if she was she would apparently have missed the gates that were down and found herself in front of the train too. Sigh....
Nope, they meant the car. Some new cars do have the equivalent of a flight data recorder or "black box." I don't know how prevalent they are, but I've heard about them for a few years. However, every manufacturer puts in a different unit, so I know there's a lot of compatibility issues and most police departments don't have the ability to download their data, nor can they legally due so without consent in most circumstances (I believe). And they only record a small amount of time - maybe just the last minute or two before the accident. I'm sure I could dig up more info for you but I'm running out the door at the moment.
Partly true, partly hogwash.
yeah like "if it wasn't for amtrak going ridiculously fast the teens would have made it" etc etc etc
Could you clarify what part you think is hogwash? The feeling of being invincible means they don't think anything bad will happen to them. I was not talking just about this young man but 16 year olds in general and their ability to make good decisions at 16.
They are technically correct. If it had been a slow freight the youngerts probably would have made it. Same thing goes for the people the CZ hit the other day as well-- it isn't Amtrak's fault, but the speed is the reason why these accidents happened. People expect a pondering double stack and insteak get a silver streak.
yeah just like a red light at a intersection means stop or a stop sign at a intersection but people still blow though those like there not even there. have cameras at the crossings that whenever a car goes through the crossing when the lights are flashing it takes a picture of the cars license plate and you get a ticket in the mail for $$$$$. those fines will pay for the cameras in no time.
It's even worse than that JayPea, he illegally passed that white SUV. That was a no passing zone, and he blew around that stopped SUV at high speed, in a no passing zone.
Catblue,
