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SALT LAKE CITY -- Last year, UTA saw 21 accidents involving TRAX trains, FrontRunner trains and buses. There have already been two in 2012. UTA has said enough is enough. Tuesday, volunteers saturated TRAX platforms to bring safety awareness to riders.
All it takes is getting too close to the edge of the platform or not paying attention while listening to music. Each of those situations have already has resulted in someone's death.
There are sounds and lights most of have heard or seen before all around TRAX stops and crossings. But for some reason, many of us don't pay attention to them. UTA has said that needs to stop.
"These trains travel very quickly, they can't stop, they can't swerve - so it's important to take personal responsibility," said Gerry Carpenter, UTA spokesperson.
In 2011, TRAX trains were involved in 13 accidents; Frontrunner had four; buses were involved in four, three of which involved pedestrians.
- Look
- Listen
- Stand behind the yellow line on the platforms
- Hold onto children
- Remove headphones.
- Never go around lowered gates in order to beat a train
Garrett Hanselman rides TRAX four days a week. He was on one of the TRAX trains that killed a man, and saw the sheet that covered his body after the accident. Because of his experience, he knows the importance of platform safety and was pleased to see UTA volunteers promoting that message this morning.
"Some people try to crowd closer to the train, get on first and get a seat. But I just wait back because I don't want to chance it or (have) someone shove me into the train," he said.
Over the past few months, UTA has launched a major campaign to bring awareness to riders. There have been billboards and commercials. UTA is hoping the face to face interaction being used today will help the message sink in.
"By following some very basic rules, they can keep themselves safe around TRAX and Frontfunner trains," Carpenter said.
Kurtis Bowman, a UTA rider who says he's actually seen a guard rail come down on a car, watched this morning as UTA police issued tickets to those not following the rules while boarding his train.
"I think it's something that everyone needs to learn how to do, especially in light of what's been going on," Bowman said.
Over the past few months UTA police have stepped up enforcement. They've also asked other police agencies to do the same. UTA Volunteers will be out once again during the evening commute, helping to educate about train safety. They'll be stationed at various TRAX and Frontrunner stations around the Salt Lake valley.
