HIGHWAY-RAIL SAFETY: LOOK, LISTEN…LIVE!
Operation Lifesaver urges everyday motorists and professional drivers to remember these tips: Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and deadly. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency. Never race a train to the crossing – even…
Two injured after light-rail train hits SUV
Two people were injured and taken to the hospital Sunday after a light-rail train hit an SUV. The accident happened at about 4:30 p.m. at East 42nd Street and Hiawatha Avenue. The two-car train traveling at around 45 mph struck the SUV on the driver’s side, said Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons. The train pushed…
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations For a complete copy of the Federal Regulations please contact the Department of Transportation Part 382 – Controlled Substances & Alcohol Use & Testing Part 383 – Commercial Driver’s License Standards; Requirements and Penalties Part 385 – Safety Fitness Procedures Part 387 – Minimum Levels of Financial Responsibility for…
Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries Through Safety Education Programs
Ms. O’Hare is Community Programs Coordinator, TBI/SCI Projects, and Dr. Hall is Projects Co-Director and Director of Rehabilitation Research, at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA. "It was just a leisurely day…," "Didn’t have a care in the world…," "I was a passenger…," "I didn’t know what 55 meant…," "Dove into the water…,"…
Minnesota Wrongful Death Law
573.02 Action for death by wrongful act; survival of actions. Subdivision 1. Death action. When death is caused by the wrongful act or omission of any person or corporation, the trustee appointed as provided in subdivision 3 may maintain an action there for if the decedent might have maintained an action, had the decedent lived,…
Preventing Slips and Falls in the Home
In 1998, falls in the home and community caused or led to 15,900 deaths. All age groups are vulnerable (see our fact sheet on Keeping Kids Safe From Home Falls also), but older adults are most at risk. In fact, 80% of those receiving fatal injury are over the age of 65. Falls continue to…
LANDLORDS AND TENANTS: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Introduction: The rights and duties of landlords and tenants in Minnesota are spelled out in federal law, state statutes, local ordinances, safety and housing codes, common law, contract law and a number of court decisions. These responsibilities can vary from place to place around the state. Certain rights and duties apply to landlords and tenants…
What are the effects of SCI?
Article: The Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center The effects of SCI depend on the type of injury and the level of the injury. SCI can be divided into two types of injury – complete and incomplete. A complete injury means that there is no function below the level of the injury; no sensation and no…
“Slip, Trip and Falls: Injuries on Someone Else’s Property”
In Minnesota, property owners have legal responsibilities to people coming onto their property. However, the responsibilities owed are different depending on if that person’s a trespasser, guest, tenant or patron. In fact, the steps a property owner must take in order to protect you while you are on the owner’s property depends upon your reason…
Glossary of Truck Related Terms
Axle Structural component to which wheels, brakes, and suspension is attached. Drive axles are those with powered wheels. Front axle is usually called the steer axle. Pusher axles are not powered and go ahead of drive axles. Rear axles may be drive, tag, or pusher types. Tag axles are not powered and go behind drive…
Minnesota Intrastate Carrier Laws
221.031 Intrastate carrier; operating requirements, exemptions. Subdivision 1. Powers, duties, reports, limitations. (a) This subdivision applies to motor carriers engaged in intrastate commerce. (b) The commissioner shall prescribe rules for the operation of motor carriers, including their facilities; accounts; leasing of vehicles and drivers; service; safe operation of vehicles; equipment, parts, and accessories; hours of service of…
Rollover- Causes and Types
Rollovers are complex crash incidents and are particularly violent in nature. Rollovers, more so than other types of crashes, reflect the interaction of the driver, road, vehicle, and environmental factors. So while vehicle type does play a significant role, other factors such as driver behavior and road and environmental conditions can also cause a vehicle…
Rollover Accidents responsible for 10,000 deaths per year in U.S.
Rollover vehicle accidents account for more than 10,000 deaths in the United States in a given year, more than side and rear crashes combined. Rollovers also result in thousands of serious injuries each year. Most of these rollovers and related injuries may have been prevented by drivers and/or manufacturers of cars, trucks, vans and SUVs….
Light Rail Train Accidents – Metro Transit
INTRODUCTION TO METRO TRANSIT Beginning June 26, 2004, the Hiawatha Line offers fast, quiet light-rail service to 12 stations between downtown Minneapolis and Fort Snelling. Dozens of bus routes are timed to connect with trains at Hiawatha Line stations, making it easy to get to work, to shopping or wherever you need to be. Hop…
Railroad Accidents – History
NOTE: Very few passengers were killed in a single U.S. train wreck up until 1853. These early trains ran slowly and made short trips, night travel was rare, and there were not many of them in operation. 1831 June 17, nr. Charleston, S.C.: boiler exploded on America’s first passenger locomotive, The Best Friend of…
Highway-Rail Crossing Program
Summary A highway-railroad grade crossing is an intersection where a roadway crosses railroad tracks at the same level (referred to by civil engineers as the same “grade”). America’s landscape is currently dotted with more than 250,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings. In recent years, roughly 300-400 deaths have occurred annually at the Nation’s grade…
“Railroad Passenger Accidents and Injuries”
Article Author: Paul E. Godlewski Railroads continue to play a vital role in the American economy with more than one hundred thousand miles of rail line throughout the country. While passenger use of railroads has declined over time, rail transportation continues as a popular high-volume, low-cost method to ship freight and goods. The ongoing use…
The importance of investigating railroad crossing accidents
Many police officers have had the unpleasant experience of investigating a railroad crossing accident. In addition to the human carnage found at the scene, officers know that these investigations are, by necessity, detailed and burdensome. The officer knows that he will be questioned by investigators and lawyers. Civil trials often result from railroad crossing accidents,…
LOOK. LISTEN. LIVE
Trains are a great addition to the Twin Cities. But like any moving vehicle, they come with warnings. Make safety a priority on and around trains. Adults and children should learn how to be safe around the tracks. National studies show that light-rail trains are safer than cars, trucks – and even buses. Metro Transit…
Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries
The following tips, based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, may reduce the risk of spinal cord injury: Wear a seat belt every time you drive a car or ride in one. Make sure your children are buckled into a child safety seat,…