Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Is your life worth 15 minutes?

QUANTICO, Va. – Several occasions of pedestrians crossing over parked trains at the Quantico Town train crossing has sparked concern for base officials.

“You could lose a limb or your life,” Safety Specialist James Whitaker said. “People need to understand they need to be patient.”

The Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis recorded a total of five trespasser casualties in 2014 in Prince William County alone.

Whitaker said that the engineering controls in place are to keep people safe. Trying to go around, over or between cars is completely unsafe. Whitaker attributed this recent incident to lack of education and awareness by explaining, “We only do what we know.”

According to the Association of American Railroads, “Two-hundred seventy people were killed or injured at railroad grade crossings in 2013, [and] 915 pedestrians were killed or injured while walking on or near railroad tracks in 2014.”

The Safety Division at Quantico reminds all pedestrians and drivers that it is important to remember that the only safe place to cross a track is at a designated public crossing with a cross buck, flashing red lights or a gate. Crossing at any other part of the track is considered trespassing, and you can be ticketed or fined for such an offense.

“Do not attempt to go over a rail at any time. It takes a train a mile or more to stop when it’s going,” he said. “Once that engineer or conductor sees you, there’s no guarantee he can come to a full stop. Don’t even do it. It’s not worth it.”

Quantico will potentially acquire a third railroad track. With this installation, vigilance for train related incidents will become more important.

Please contact Safety Division at 703-432-1218 for questions, concerns or more information.