How This Small Blue Sign Around Michigan Saves Lives

When I used to commute to and from Grand Valley State University, I would have to take Cottonwood Drive before merging onto I-196 to head home. I never liked this light; the timing was strange, and people would often stop far closer to the barrier than they should while attempting to rush through the intersection.

These drivers always had me worried they'd get stuck where they shouldn't: on the rails. For the first time, I saw a video of someone in Utah getting caught on the rails, abandoning their vehicle, and watching in horror as the car was obliterated and the train took some hefty damage.

Now, while I do think this collision was perfectly avoidable, and this driver made the worst decision given the circumstances, Michigan has a system in place so things like this don't happen, and it all comes down to a little blue sign on the railroad barrier.

Railroad Emergencies in Michigan

If you ever find yourself in a "crossing emergency" (stuck on the tracks, railroad crossing lights not working, track issue, etc), there are two things to do:

• Call local law enforcement
• Call the railroad's emergency contact number on this blue sign. 

This sign, posted on the railroad crossing pole under the crossing symbol, features the phone number to the railroad that operates the crossing, as well as the ID number (numbers under the phone number, on the right side) for the railroad to help identify where the issue is taking place. Calling this sign notifies the train faster than 911 would, and can save lives.

The sign may not be large, but it has a huge purpose.