Since 1991, more people have been killed every year while trespassing on Washington's rail lines than in collisions at grade crossings. While 12 deaths is down from 20 in 1991, the numbers are not showing a significant downward trend and are still too high. Twenty fatalities in 2004 represents the highest number since 1991 (tie). For 2005 trespassing fatalities fell to 16, that number fell again to 12 in 2006. Suicide plays a significant role in this picture of fatalities.
Fatalities Related to Trespassing
on Washington Railroad Properties
Source: Washington Utilities and Trade Commission; Railroad Safety Division
Source Data: http://www.wutc.wa.gov/webimage.nsf/d60036703dbb408d88256efc00506bb4/95a93f74dd7a2c0a88257076005880c7!OpenDocument
To address the high number of trespassing deaths, Operation Lifesaver is focusing on these areas: Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. Engineering focuses on what can physically be done to prevent trespassing, such as fencing. Education efforts focus on the impacts and consequences of trespassing on active rail lines. Recently, more enforcement has been used, especially on the BNSF right-of-way between Tacoma and Everett, to discourage the use of railroad right-of-way as a trail to the beach or a path for jogging or walking the dog.