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16-year-old dies in tragic train accident in Kusel – drama at the level crossing!
In a serious accident in Kusel, a 16-year-old was killed in a collision between a car and a train.
16-year-old dies in tragic train accident in Kusel – drama at the level crossing!
A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at an unbarred railway crossing in Kusel. At around 12:30 p.m. a car collided with a regional train, resulting in a devastating outcome. A 16-year-old passenger in the vehicle lost her life, while three other people in the car, including the 51-year-old driver and her 13-year-old daughter, suffered serious injuries. They were immediately taken to various hospitals by rescue helicopter. Fortunately, the approximately 20 passengers on the regional train that was traveling from Kusel to Kaiserslautern were uninjured. The police, fire brigade and emergency services were deployed on site to deal with the situation and to close the railway line for the time being, reports Tixio.
The frequency of such accidents highlights the dangers at level crossings. According to a current analysis by Deutsche Bahn (DB), the need to act is obvious. In order to reduce the risk of accidents, the DB plans to significantly reduce the number of crossings where collisions between cars and trains often occur. Over the last few decades, the number of level crossings in Germany has fallen from around 28,000 in the 1990s to only around 15,820 today (as of 2023). Railway blog post reported.
Security initiatives
Measures to reduce the risk of accidents often include the construction of overpasses and underpasses for cars, cyclists and pedestrians. This initiative is supported by the Railway Crossing Act, which has already been implemented since 2019. Over 63% of existing level crossings are now technically secured, which is ensured by flashing lights, light signals and half-barriers. However, the danger remains high, especially at uncontrolled crossings. The number of accidents at level crossings has fallen by more than 75% since 1995; Nevertheless, 154 accidents were registered nationwide last year Car Motor and Sport communicates.
A frightening fact: Over 95% of accidents at level crossings are due to human error - be it due to inattention, carelessness or ignorance. There are also special circumstances that increase the risk of accidents, such as construction sites or a lack of staff. The Ministry of Transport in Lower Saxony pointed out the need to review safety standards in such situations and adapt them if necessary.
The plans to close and dismantle level crossings are not only a question of safety, but also of financial feasibility. The costs of a closure vary between 10,000 and 200,000 euros, with the Federal Ministry of Transport providing around 75 million euros annually to support construction work. This makes it easier for municipalities to eliminate existing sources of danger and increase the safety of their citizens.
Such tragic events like the recent accident in Kusel must not become routine. It is time to advance measures to improve safety at level crossings to prevent future accidents and protect citizens from unnecessary risk.