FOUNDATION
PUSHING FOR NEW RAILROAD SAFETY LAWS
The Independent
June 11, 2002
By: Shane Riggs
The Angels on Track Foundation—founded by Denny and
Vicky Moore—is being credited for what could be a new
state law holding railroad companies more accountable for
mishaps that occur with cars.
Currently, driver error is the only cause considered in a
train to vehicle collision. The bill—co-authorized by
the Moores and State Sen. Scott Oelslager, would change that
and other factors would be considered—including the
safety conditions and age of the rails.
“It’s so easy to just blame the driver,” Vicky Moore said.
“That’s because so often the driver isn’t
around to defend himself. Everything out there now blames
the driver. The wording (in the bill) means everyone can
be held accountable.”
That “everyone” included the railroad. If the railroad,
for instance, has not taken steps to improve its crossings,
it could be held legally responsible and liable for an accident.
Moore said the foundation spent nearly eight months working
on semantics.
“We have been
working on this since August. I wanted to make sure the families
affected by these tragedies would benefit from it,” she
said. “The railroads have to share the responsibility.”
Oelslager said the bill inspired by the Moores is timely and
needed.
“Considering the high volume of traffic on Ohio’s roadways, it’s
only natural that the number of railroad crossing accidents taking place in
our state will be somewhat higher than others,” he said. “This fact
is all the more reason for us to take the initiative in making sure that our
railroad crossings are as safe as they can be.”
In 2000, Ohio ranked sixth in the nation in the number of car
to train accidents and seventh in the nation in fatalities.
There are more than 4,000 unmarked railroad crossings in the
state.
In 1995, the Moores’ son, Ryan, 16, was killed along with
two other teens who were passengers in the backseat of a car
struck by a train at an unmarked crossing. The same crossing
had been the site of eight deaths over a 20-year period.
After a successful lawsuit against the railroad company, the
Moores used their settlement to found the Angels on Track Foundation,
the first charity organization dedicated to railroad safety.
The Angels on Track Foundation has assisted municipalities
in making 11 crossings safer since its formation. Five crossings
are set for improvements this year. The foundation grants the
needed matching dollars by local municipalities to install
lights and gates. That mission has expanded to include a “Crossing
to Safety” educational program, recently introduced to
the first Stark County school.
“We have a lot of projects now in addition to the funding,” Moore
said. “This is what Denny and I really want to do. This is what we feel
we were meant to do when we started the foundation. With the educational branch,
we can get the truth out.”
Vicky and Denny Moore both feel the mission of the foundation
is far from complete.
“The laws have to change. Equipment has to change. The railroad industry
has to change,” said Vicky Moore. “And this is the time for change.”
|
