When I was around 10 years old, I had a terrifying experience playing with my friends near the train tracks close to my home. One day, as I was goofing around, my shoe got stuck between the rails after I tripped over my untied shoelaces. I couldn’t free myself, and while my friends were laughing, I was silently panicking, imagining a train barreling down on us. In a moment of desperation, I squeezed my foot out of my shoe, allowing them to pull it free just before a train came roaring by.
Now, years later, I still live near those tracks and am horrified to witness people posing for family photos or strolling along them. As the mother of three teenagers who frequently venture out on their own, I constantly remind them to steer clear of the tracks. They think I’m being overly cautious, but I often share my own frightening experience to drive home the point—especially since we’re merely half a mile from those same tracks.
You might think you’ll hear a train approaching and have enough time to get out of the way, but that’s not always the case. Just last Saturday, a 17-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being struck by a train in Troutdale, Oregon. He was taking senior photos with a photographer present, but details about why he couldn’t escape remain unclear. It’s worth noting that much of the area is fenced off with “no trespassing” signs, indicating it takes effort to get close to the tracks.
Railroad tracks have become a popular spot for photo opportunities. Families often walk hand-in-hand toward the camera, and high school seniors pose for their yearbook pictures. But let’s be clear: tracks are not safe places for pictures, play, or hangouts—especially not with earbuds in. Just days before the incident in Troutdale, another man was killed by a train in Bellevue, Ohio. Eyewitnesses reported he was likely wearing earbuds at the time, which were found at the scene.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, over 1,000 rail-related injuries and fatalities occurred in 2018 alone, and more than 7,200 pedestrians have been killed by trains in the U.S. since 1997. Many people underestimate the risks, but the statistics and recent tragic incidents speak for themselves.
Teens and adults alike often believe they can easily get out of the way if they hear a train coming. They assume they’ll have plenty of time, but that’s not always true. If you live in a town with commuter train stations, it’s crucial to pay attention to the signals and not just assume you can outrun the train. Life is busy, and we often rush, but some risks simply aren’t worth taking.
It’s essential for us to set a good example and remind our kids why it’s important to be vigilant—especially given the prevalence of trains in urban areas. Young people need to learn how vital it is to stay alert and aware of their surroundings (and maybe even put their phones down for a minute).
So, please, stay away from the tracks. Take your pictures somewhere safe. There’s absolutely no reason to jeopardize your safety or that of your loved ones.
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In summary, train tracks are not a playground or photo backdrop. The dangers are very real, and it’s vital to keep ourselves and our children safe by staying off the tracks.
Keyphrase: Train tracks safety
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