# My minivan gets stuck on a railroad crossing, daughter saves the day **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2024, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768 "2024-01-08T12:01:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/21 "2024-01-08T16:37:47Z")
Give your daughter a hug from me! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/22 "2024-01-08T17:20:58Z")
One tragedy on the Caltrain tracks which run near my house happened over 10 years ago during the afternoon rush hour, in heavy traffic. Traffic approaching to cross the tracks was gridlocked and stopped at the red light next to the tracks (a major road, the El Camino Real, parallels a portion of the tracks). Traffic was stopped on both sides of the track, and not on the track which of course is good. When the lights turned green, the gridlocked traffic proceeded but then a congestion developed to impede that flow. One car got caught directly on the tracks, stopped and locked in by other cars front and back. Just then the train crossing guards came down and the warning signals sounded. The driver could not drive off of the tracks, and he hesitated in fleeing his car. That hesitation cost him his life. He only had a few seconds but **apparently did not have the presence of mind about what was happening and what he needed to do in that very moment.** The Caltrain had been going 60mph and could not stop in time. [I found an article about it. It happened in Sep 2009.](https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/caltrain-accident-in-redwood-city-leaves-one-dead.29086) While the tracks run near my house, this incident occurred about 20 miles away. Yes, give her a hug for me too! And you and she should go and buy a lotto ticket! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/23 "2024-01-08T17:46:09Z")
What @Bullitt describes happens about monthly here in SoFL. We have the distinction of the highest kill rate per mile by far in the whole USA. The public will not stop gridlocking their cars on the tracks. Light turns green, they surge ahead, then the right lane stops moving for pedestrians crossing blocking the right-turning cars, .or the left lane stops moving to wait for a break in oncoming traffic to turn left and there you are; on the tracks and no place to go. That and all the pedestrians crossing the tracks between crossings without paying attention. Wasted, homeless, insane, or just groovin’ to the tunes on their headphones they are oblivious to the outside world. Until it crushes them like an ant. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/24 "2024-01-08T17:47:12Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Do we even have those emergency buttons in the States? I’ve never heard of them. And, if there’s only 15 seconds to get to one and set it off, is there time left for the train to stop? I mean, obviously there was in the case of the OP; and there might sometimes be where I am because the trains are all going really slowly (at least partly because of the poor condition of the tracks) and while they’re freight they’re usually fairly short, but I don’t think there always would be. > [@RitterSport](#): > > I think I’ve seen crossings without even gates, just the lights and bells. Some of the crossings here don’t have gates, or lights, or bells. Just yield signs. Stop, look, and listen! And, in case of doubt, check your traction before starting up again. Start from not too close to the tracks, so you’ve got a bit of momentum going over. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/25 "2024-01-08T17:53:44Z")
I sit at a lot of train crossings here. We have two fairly busy lines, so waiting isn’t a daily occurrence, but it’s close. Around here, from the first flashing light until the train shows up is around 45-50 seconds. It takes awhile to lower all the gates, then some more times goes by, then the train appears. Doing anything between 25 and 65mph depending on what kind going where. An emergency button used instantly by an alert pedestrian standing right there could stop a computer-controlled slow-moving train in time. For a faster train or assuming the trapped / stuck driver needs to recognize they’re screwed, decide to abandon their car, run to the button, and push it themselves? Not gonna stop many trains in time that way. I’m betting the Japanese system is based on the assumption of lots of well-behaved pedestrians paying attention. Hooray for having a successful culture. Sorry USA; you lost that round. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/26 "2024-01-08T18:00:25Z")
I’ve never seen or heard about emergency buttons at railroad crossings here in Germany, but I’m quite sure that the gates can’t close if the system senses that there is still a vehicle on the tracks, and if the gates aren’t closed, the incoming train gets a red signal to stop it. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/27 "2024-01-08T18:12:23Z")
Jaysus! She gets a reward, right? An ice cream or something? A house? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/28 "2024-01-08T18:59:36Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Do we even have those emergency buttons in the States? I think the best we have in the US are signs posted at level crossings that say “To report a problem call [number]”, which apparently you can call to report a vehicle stuck on the tracks. I guess maybe that puts you in touch with a dispatcher who can manually change a signal to red or something. But that doesn’t work in the OP’s scenario where a train is already approaching. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/29 "2024-01-09T01:33:44Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > We were driving the wife’s Toyota RAV4. It’s 4WD, but I didn’t like it. There’s just a button on the dash, and apparently it reverts to 2WD over 25 mph. I was never sure if it was on or off. I _much_ prefer the Jeep Cherokee’s system. To engage 4WD you pull up on a lever… and it stays there until you move the lever to disengage. Yeah, the Estima has a button as well, and I would prefer a lever. When we bought the used van last year, I tried it out, but since it’s not for off roading or anything, I hadn’t used it since then. In Japanese, they are calling it a 4WD auto mode, and it reverts to 2WD under certain conditions. There’s a switch between it and front wheel drive. > [@Bullitt](#): > > The driver could not drive off of the tracks, and he hesitated in fleeing his car. That hesitation cost him his life. He only had a few seconds but **apparently did not have the presence of mind about what was happening and what he needed to do in that very moment.** Yeah, I can understand that. I was confused about what to do and it took a few seconds to decide to bail. Fortunately, we had longer time. The warning signals start about a minute before the trains come. I did get out in time so even if my daughter hadn’t pushed the button I think I would have been ok, although the van would not have survived. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > For a faster train or assuming the trapped / stuck driver needs to recognize they’re screwed, decide to abandon their car, run to the button, and push it themselves? Not gonna stop many trains in time that way. Fortunately, my kids were already out of the car, which helped. Also, because she wasn’t the driver, she was concentrating more on getting to the button and wasn’t distracted by thinking about trying to move the car. I’ve got to reinforce my emergency response planning. > [@bobot](#): > > Jaysus! She gets a reward, right? An ice cream or something? A house? Something! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/30 "2024-01-09T01:43:51Z")
How about monster hugs from many people all over the world who salute her presence of mind and bravery under fire. Delivered by proxy by Dear Old Dad, so it’s not weird or nuthin’. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/31 "2024-01-09T01:47:20Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Also train in the US tend to be freight–you’re not bringing a 3/4 mile long train to a stop in a quarter mile! Same in my part of Canada - we don’t have any commuter trains. It’s just long, long, freight trains that cannot stop that quickly, so little point for such a button. Very glad that it works for commuter trains in Japan, and that Tokyo Bayer and kids are all safe and sound. Very scary, and a very quick-thinking beta-chan. She could post in that thread about “when you made a quick decision”! ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/32 "2024-01-09T13:16:45Z")
A hell of a scary situation and kudos to Beta-chan. I can easily imagine me freezing in that situation. She did really well. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/33 "2024-01-09T16:42:12Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Some of the crossings here don’t have gates, or lights, or bells. Just yield signs. Near my parents’ old neighborhood, there was a level crossing with just two RxR crossing signs, no lights or gate. This area was purely for loading/hooking up freight cars, and the trains moved at about 10 mph, maximum. I never saw a train hit any cars on that crossing, but about once every two weeks someone would drive their car into the side of the train. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/34 "2024-01-09T17:20:28Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Near my parents’ old neighborhood, there was a level crossing with just two RxR crossing signs, no lights or gate Similar thing where I grew up. At some points lights, bells, and later a gate arrived. The tracks crossed at a T-intersection, so immediately past the tracks was a stop sign. There was room for maybe 3 cars after the tracks, and people usually would stop and wait on the tracks. I always felt very smug because I wouldn’t stop on the tracks, until someone rear ended me. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/35 "2024-01-09T18:10:30Z")
Wrong thread ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/36 "2024-01-13T22:57:33Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I’ve never seen one, and I strongly suspect that we don’t. “Sensible and extremely helpful” sounds Japanese, not American. LOL Sadly, American boys would be pressing the button every hour of the day just for kicks. I was an asshole boy once too. Our upbringing is completely different from much of the rest of the world. sigh ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/37 "2024-01-13T23:00:02Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I’ve never seen one, and I strongly suspect that we don’t. I’ve not ever seen one, either, and I’m at least a minor train buff; I’ve not sure that I’ve ever heard of such a thing here in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2024, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/38 "2024-01-13T23:36:59Z")
Follow-up. The kids and I went out to dinner last night to celebrate not dying or losing the van and for Beta-chan’s cool thinking. Her face lights up when we talk about it, so she’s obvously proud of herself. I’m still kicking myself for getting into that situation, but I hope I’ve learned a few things. Obviously about the 4WD, but also I just didn’t think about approaching the tracks at an angle instead of head on. Still, it all ended well and we had an adverture. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/39 "2024-01-14T01:55:34Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Sadly, American boys would be pressing the button every hour of the day just for kicks. I was an asshole boy once too. Our upbringing is completely different from much of the rest of the world. sigh You ain’t alone. I pulled some stupid shit too. I’d venture to guess that several of us here did too. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768/40 "2024-01-14T02:56:04Z")
Way to go, Betad-chan! I am impressed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-minivan-gets-stuck-on-a-railroad-crossing-daughter-saves-the-day/995768.md?page=3)