I have been reading with interest some of the comments about train horns and public safety. I think a little perspective is helpful.
If you look to provincial or federal statistics on accidents, you will find that the likelihood of getting injured at a train intersection is similar to your chance of getting hit by lightning. Therefore if you firmly believe that requiring all trains to automatically blast their horn at every crossing is important for public safety, then we should consider requiring all vehicles crossing every street intersection to similarly follow this practice, considering this is where the sheer volume of injuries and fatalities occur. If we really want to “toot” about safety, then we should really focus on changing poor driving habits (e.g., driving under the influence, distracted driving, taking unnecessary risks, etc.) rather than relying on someone else to blast their horn to prevent potential accidents.
Ultimately, nothing should restrict a conductor from providing a warning, but requiring them to do it automatically at all hours of the night – even when no one else may be around– because that is the way it has always been done, is not a good enough reason on its own. Numerous other towns across Canada and the U.S. have long ago come to that realization, and I hope one day our community will do the same.
Chris Lawson, St. Albert
