Blumenthal Issues Statement On California Metrolink Highway Rail Grade Crossing Collision

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today regarding the collision this morning in Oxnard, California of a Metrolink train with a tractor trailer on its tracks:

“My thoughts and prayers are with those injured this morning in yet another highway-rail grade crossing collision. These grade crossings are not accidents waiting to happen, they are accidents happening again and again, claiming lives and causing catastrophic injuries and damage. These deaths and injuries can be prevented through better education, enforcement and engineering. While it is too soon to know what may have contributed to today’s tragedy, far too many crossings nationwide rely on 19^th century technology. Modern engineering, increased education and stronger enforcement are needed now,” Blumenthal said.

Following the catastrophic Metro-North collision at the Valhalla grade crossing earlier this month, Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Act of 2015. The legislation focuses on the “Three Es,” which are the factors that experts have identified as the most effective means of reducing such collisions: engineering, education and enforcement. The bill provides new resources to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), states and communities to make critical engineering and safety upgrades at rail crossings, like installing new lights and signals, particularly at accident-prone crossings. It would also provide grant funding to strengthen education and public awareness of grade crossing dangers, and for law enforcement to reduce violations of traffic laws at crossings.