Increase in Illinois railroad crossing collisions
Deaths resulting train-car collisions and pedestrian accidents railroad crossings in Illinois increased last year, according to state safety officials.
According to the Illinois Commission, 17 deaths were reported between January and November of 2010 at Illinois rail crossings, and 10 fatalities involving pedestrians hit by trains, was a reveral of a recent decline in collisions.
Illinois officials launced an emotional public campaign focusing public awareness to the problem. In a video entited "Where's the Best Man?" members of a wedding party are killed when the driver of their car is struck by a train when the driver attempted to beat the train across the tracks.
In 2009, 10 deaths occurred the commission reported, and there were 15 in 2008, 16 in 2007 and 18 each year in 2006 and 2005, officials said.
The 10 fatalities of pedestrians hit by trains while they attempted to cross tracks last year was the highest toll since 12 pedestrian deaths in 2007, the commission reported.
