Don't try to outrun a train.....
 

I worked out in that area many years ago when I worked for Contra Costa co. Sorry to see that happened.

And another train was derailed by some c**t in a dump truck trying to beat the train in Missouuura. If you don't respect rail crossings, the penalty should be loss of license for 10 years + confiscation of whatever stinkbox you're driving.

It's a common thing - even with gated crossings, you see dumbazzes do a "slalom" around the gates.

Pretty incredible. How to exit the gene pool in a hurry, based on sheer stupidity.

An Amtrak or Caltrain train will hold you up for a couple of minutes. A long freight train can be a tad annoying, but I see it as a chance to catch up on my email.

A local farmer blamed the train. He said everyone knew that crossing was a tough one, that there was a hill to climb before crossing it and if you don't get enough speed you will never make it up the grade.

Or to look at it from the trains point of view... If you are in the crossing when the train comes through you are going to get hit. Grade or no grade the truck driver might have just backed up and got another running start after the train passed.

Where I work, we are always moving stuff around the building. Sometimes we will move big pallets of product on pallet jacks. People will see you coming and just stand there. 'He see me...he'll stop'. I have had people run in front of me trying to beat me. I have people move an inch or two thinking that is enough ... it's not. Never hit anyone but I have a greater understanding of why people get hit by trains. They are freaking stupid.