We have learned a lesson that some people in this webquest learned the hard way. People lost their lives, are risking injury and disability or have become disabled because of a bad choice. The disabled are learning how to live with their injuries. For them, life won't ever be what it was. They lost limbs or had severe injuries limiting mobility. They are among the lucky to be hit by a train and live because they were on the tracks or crossed illegally. People aren't always so lucky.
Families are mourning those killed so needlessly. They didn't have to die. Jerome Fielding and the Canadian Boy who got hit by a train taking a shortcut across the tracks, the railfan taking pictures, or even the teens in the car attempting to beat the train and lost. Lives with potential were cut short. Families were devastated hearing the news someone died. The behavior of someone also killed somebody else because they decided to throw a microwave oven on the tracks.
How you behave around trains will determine if you are going to get married, go to college, or do anything you dream of. There are no do-overs in life. Trains can take that away so quickly. Racing the train at the crossing, walking on tracks, shortcuts, drinking near tracks and taking selfies. You don't even have to train hop or walk on tracks to be killed.
Something as simple as not standing behind the yellow line or exploring "abandoned" railroad buildings. You could meet vagrants who are there and can kill you. You can fall into pits or have walls and ceilings come down on you. Playing with railroad equipment is another way to get hurt. You can be a victim very quickly in a remote area.
What does this come down to? It comes down to the most important person- YOU. It comes down to the decisions you make and the consequences you face for not making the right ones. Teens and young adults are also risking being arrested for either trespassing, train hopping or committing a whole bunch of offenses that pose a danger to themselves and the public at large. There are those who do not care and continue to do so.
The most important lesson I hope each of you learn is in staying away from railroads unless you are a legal passenger on a train. Even if you aren't injured doing something illegal, you may still get caught and face ADULT charges. Those will follow you for the rest of your life. Is it really worth it to take the shortcut, trespass, train hop, beat the train, or do a whole host of other offenses that might put people in danger? Think it over. You still have a future and a chance at life. Learn from those who were not so lucky.