A Wrong Turn

[ricco67]

http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_2435318

Article Last Updated: 11/01/2004 02:53:55 AM

A wrong turn

A spokesperson for Utah Transit Authority, commenting on a recent spate of accidents involving TRAX trains, said that an average of about one accident a month is typical, even a bit low, for light-rail systems such as Salt Lake County's TRAX.

That expresses an attitude that, while understandable, might seem cavalier to those people who have collided with a TRAX train and lived to tell about it or to the survivors of those who did not. Since 1999 when TRAX opened, four pedestrians have died in accidents involving the trains, most recently a woman who attempted to board from the wrong side of a TRAX train near the University of Utah Oct. 23.

That fatality was the fourth accident involving TRAX trains in four days. There is a good chance the rainy, gray weather or the waning daylight contributed to those collisions. Certainly TRAX drivers are not to blame.

But, interestingly, the three most recent accidents involving motorists and TRAX trains - and a total of 39 in the past five years - were caused by drivers making illegal left turns.

Indeed, motorists who made the mistake of turning in front of or into a TRAX train were four times more likely to be traveling in the same direction as the train as in the opposite direction when the accident occurred. They collided with a train coming from behind, despite flashing signals warning them and a red light prohibiting a left turn.

UTA spokesman Justin Jones says the agency believes people are not accustomed to checking

for other vehicles coming from behind them before they turn left.

Many accidents have involved the University-line train along 400 South and 500 South. UTA says it is studying that line to see what might be done to reduce the number of accidents.

We have a suggestion: As 400 South is the main east-west TRAX line, why not reduce the number of intersections where left turns are allowed.

That would reduce the number of potential accident sites and may remind motorists that this street is unique and requires extra attention. It also may encourage motorists to take alternate routes. Even now, many people avoid 400 South when possible because sharing it with TRAX is bound to cause delays.

We agree with UTA that pedestrians and motorists are both responsible for making city streets they share with TRAX trains as safe as possible by always following traffic signals, never jaywalking and understanding and following safety guidelines for riding trains.

We also believe UTA should continually evaluate problem areas and make adjustments.