Union Pacific reminds motorists to drive cautiously during extreme winter weather conditions

[January 13, 2012]  OMAHA, Neb. -- During these extreme winter weather conditions in the Midwest, Union Pacific reminds motorists to use extreme caution when driving across grade crossings. With reduced visibility because of the blowing and drifting snow, it could be difficult for motorists to see where crossing surfaces are located. When possible, use overpasses or underpasses to get to the other side of railroad tracks.

Safety tip: If you are driving too fast for the slick conditions, you will not be able to stop in time to avoid running into the path of or into the side of a moving train at a crossing. It can take a mile or more to stop a train, and, by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it is too late to stop.

Union Pacific Railroad reported the following railroad crossing incidents, injuries and fatalities in 2010 for the northern region states:

	Collisions	Injuries	Fatalities
Illinois	125	41	27
Iowa	55	18	4
Minnesota	43	20	2
Missouri	52	25	11
Wisconsin	33	15	1

[Union Pacific news release; LDN]