RICHMOND—As railroads facilitate the movement of agricultural products and other goods through Virginia and beyond, motorists and farm equipment operators are reminded to practice safe passage at railroad crossings.

Many rural railroad crossings typically are private with limited safety features. Some areas lack gates or lights that signal an oncoming train. Meanwhile, farm machinery is noisy, preventing farmers from hearing an oncoming train.

The national rail safety education organization, Operation Lifesaver Inc., reports that approximately 15% of all U.S. rail collisions each year occur on private crossings such as those on farmland.

“Rural railroad crossings have an increased risk for train collisions when crossing with farm equipment that often is heavier, longer, or needs to move slower,” said Virginia Farm Bureau Federation safety coordinator Matt Nuckols. “Having visual contact with rail lines and looking both ways before crossing is critical.”

A September 2024 Virginia Rail Safety Month proclamation noted a decrease in highway-rail grade crossing collisions, with the commonwealth ranked 26th in the U.S., down from 13th in 2021, according to data from the Virginia Federal Railroad Administration.

“Farm Bureau supports improved safety strategies and best practices to protect the safety of farmers at railroad crossings,” added Ben Rowe, VFBF national affairs coordinator. “We are pleased to see Congress funding improvements to rail crossings and infrastructure that will create a safer environment for farmers moving equipment and commodities.”

This summer, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D- 7th, announced an award of $3.2 million—made possible through the bipartisan infrastructure law—to improve railroad crossing safety in Stafford, Spotsylvania and Hanover counties. The funding will be used by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to make safety improvements at rural crossings.

American Farm Bureau Federation has partnered with Operation Lifesaver Inc. to spread awareness to rural motorists and farmers alike:

• Slow down when approaching a railroad crossing. Stop for oncoming trains at least 15 feet away.
   
• Look and listen for a train. Open cab windows, turn off radios and fans and remove headphones. Rock back and forth in your seat to see around obstacles. The average freight train traveling at 55 mph takes a mile or more to stop.
   
• Once you start across, do not hesitate. Do not change gears. Tractors pulling heavy or bulky loads may take more time to clear a crossing than anticipated.
   
• Low-clearance vehicles can get hung up on train tracks. If a low-clearance warning is posted, use another route.

For more information visit oli.org or see VFBF farm safety resources at vafb.com/Safety.

Media: Contact Nuckols at 804-938-2043 or Rowe at 804-290-1017.