Information in this section is designed to provide the media with a quick reference to statistical facts and how Missouri compares in national statistics.

For historical safety statistics, please click here.  And for more safety facts, click here.
 

The Basics

Highway-rail crash statistics for 2008 indicate that Missouri had 37 crashes at crossings. Nine people were killed and another 16 seriously injured. This is a 21% decrease from the 47 crashes that occurred in 2007.

Figures for trespassing in 2008 show there were 17 incidents that resulted in 10 fatalities and 7 injuries.  This is a 30% increase in the number of trespassing incidents from the previous year with fatalities more than doubling.

Missouri has over 6,400 miles of track with 3,800 public crossings and 3,000 private crossings.

Railroad tracks, rail yards, and rail equipment are private property and anyone trespassing is subject to arrest and fines.
 

Highway-Rail Terminology
Highway/Rail Grade Crossing - The general area where a roadway intersects a railway.

Public Grade Crossing - A highway/rail grade crossing where the roadway is under the jurisdiction and maintained by a public entity.

Private Grade Crossing - At-grade crossings where the highway is privately owned and is intended for use by the owner or by the owner’s licensees and invitees. It is not intended for public use and is not maintained by a public highway authority.

Active Highway-Rail Crossing Devices - Traffic control devices that give positive notice to highway users of the approach or presence of a train. Active devices include flashing light signals, automatic gates, and other similar devices activated by a train passing over a detection circuit or, in some instances, by manually operated devices.

Passive Warning Devices - Non-electric traffic control devices, including signs, markings and other devices located at or in advance of a crossing to indicate the presence of a crossing. The purpose is to alert highway users to prepare for and take appropriate evasive action. Passive warning devices include:

Cross Bucks - White reflecting X-shaped signs with "RAILROAD CROSSING" in black lettering, located alongside the roadway at railroad tracks. Cross bucks should be considered to be the same as a yield sign.

Advance Warning Sign - A round yellow sign with "R X R." It is located alongside the highway in advance of the crossing and is designed to notify a motorist of a highway/rail crossing ahead.
 

Missouri Counties With Rail Safety Incidents
Crossing Crashes 2008     1976
  Jasper 3   Jackson 30
  Jackson 3   St. Louis Co. 22
  Stoddard 3   Jasper 17
  Cass 2   St. Louis City 14
  Lafayette 2   Dunklin 11
  Lawrence 2   Greene 11
  Buchanan 2      
 
   

Trespass Incidents in 2008
Jackson 3
Greene 2
Johnson 2
St. Louis City 2
 

States With Highest Highway-Rail Incidents in 2008
    Crossing Crashes     Crossing Fatalities
  Texas 228   Illinois 26
  Illinois 147   California 25
  Indiana 139   Florida 25
  California 138   Indiana 19
  Louisiana 113   Texas 17
  Georgia 107   Louisiana 15
  Ohio 95   Mississippi 13
        Ohio 12
           
  Missouri
(23rd)		 37   Missouri
(12th)		 9
 
    Trespass Fatalities
  California 65
  Illinois 35
  Texas 29
  Florida 26
  Pennsylvania 23
  New Jersey 21
  Tennessee 20
     
  Missouri
(16th)		 10