Group
To Campaign For Safer Rail Crossings
THE
NEW YORK TIMES (National)
Monday, November
22, 1999
NORTH CANTON, Ohio,
Nov. 21 (AP) - Small groups of railroad safety advocates,
most of whom have lost friends or relatives in train-car
collisions, have formed a national organization to campaign
for safer railroad crossings.
"I think it's
frustration that brought us all together," said Vicky
Moore, whose 16-year old son, Ryan, was one of three people
killed in a 1995 accident that seriously injured three others,
including Ryan's older brother, Jason. "What's driving
us is loosing our children and our loved ones at these crossings."
More than 30 safety
advocates from six states met here on Saturday to set goals
for the new organization, the National Rail Safety Coalition.
The coalition wants
railroads and governments to eliminate unguarded crossings
and will demand more accountability from the railroads for
accidents, Mrs. Moore said.
In addition, the
organization seeks more public education on rail-safety issues
and wants to be a source of support for others who have lost
loved ones in car and train collisions. Members also plan
to lobby for uniformity of railway signs and safety standards.
The group hopes
to draw 500 participants to its first national conference
in Washington next year.
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