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 crashes for 2009 indicate that Missouri had 32 crashes at public crossings. Six people were killed and another 16 seriously injured. This is a 14% decrease from the 37 crashes that occurred in 2008.

Figures for trespassing in 2009 show there were 17 incidents that resulted in 12 fatalities and 7 injuries. This was the same number of trespassing incidents that occurred in 2008, but the fatalities increased by 20% from the previous year.

Missouri has over 3,700 miles of mainline track with 3,600 public crossing 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 Highest Rail Safety Incidents
Crossing Crashes 2009     1976
  Barton 2   Jackson 30
  Bates 2   St. Louis Co. 22
  Cass 2   Jasper 17
  Franklin 2   St. Louis City 14
  Jackson 2   Dunklin 11
  Ray 2   Greene 11
  Saline 2      
 
   

Trespass Incidents in 2009
Jackson 5
Greene 2
St. Louis Co. 2
 

States With Highest Highway-Rail Incidents in 2009
    Crossing Crashes     Crossing Fatalities
  Texas 149   California 28
  California 98   Texas 22
  Indiana 87   Illinois 17
  Georgia 85   Indiana 13
  Illinois 79   Michigan 12
  Louisiana 73   Louisiana 10
  Alabama 59   Florida 9
  Ohio 55   New York 9
  Tennessee 51      
           
  Missouri
(25th)		 32   Missouri
(13th)		 6
 
    Trespass Fatalities
  California 61
  Pennsylvania 29
  Texas 29
  Ohio 24
  New Jersey 23
  Illinois 21
  Florida 19
  New York 18
  North Carolina 15
  Washington 14
  Indiana 13
     
  Missouri
(12th)		 12