We've all seen those gorgeous and aesthetic train track pictures. Living on a college campus surrounded by railroad tracks, there are students walking across tracks on a daily basis. While stuck in traffic, it is tempting to move up and stop your car on the tracks or try to take a shortcut across an undesignated crossing area. But do the people in these situations really know the dangers of being on the tracks?

Railroad safety is something that impacts many people on a daily basis. In fact, about every three hours there is a person or vehicle hit by a train. Unfortunately, there is not enough conversation about it. Trust me, I've been there not knowing anything about the real dangers of railroad tracks. I am thankful to now have the knowledge to keep myself safe and spread the word for those around me to be cautious as well. So, here are a few important things you need to know to stay safe.

It is illegal to be on the tracks.

Unless you are walking across a designated crossing area with signals and gates, it is illegal to be on the tracks. Train tracks are private property and you can get a ticket, fined or even arrested for trespassing on them. Multiple offenses can even lead to jail time.

A train hangs off the track by at least three feet over the side of the rail.

Yes, that is three feet on both sides. Other pieces of equipment, such as straps, can hang off even further. If you think you are fine standing right by the tracks, better be safe and backup rather than finding out when it is too late.

In addition to standing too close to the train, so many people think it is OK to cross between the rail cars of a stopped train and that they will be able to move in time, but that is not always the case. Don't believe me? Watch this video about a student that did the exact same thing, and sadly lost his legs because of it.

You most likely can't hear the train in time to move out of the way.

When you are on the tracks, the train is a lot more quiet than you think, especially if you are not paying attention. It can take over a mile or more for a train to be able to stop so even if the engineer sees you, the train will not be able to stop in time for most cases. This is especially dangerous if you are standing near a curved corner where you are even more likely to not be seen.

Also, never assume that a set of tracks are inactive. Only train crew can really know that information.

There are people that have the unfortunate job of having to respond to an accident. Those are images that no one should have to see. And, those that have had to see them, including the crew running the train, can suffer from PTSD since it is a sad sight that you truly can never unsee. So, you are not only putting yourself in danger, but you are causing damage beyond for those that have to witness the aftermath. Is trying to stop yourself from being late or taking a picture on the tracks really worth it?

In order to teach emergency personal how to properly respond to a train accident, Norfolk Southern has a Safety Train that gives first responders free training in the 23 cities. Find out more about the Safety Train and how to get involved, visit the website.

So, for your safety always remember to look before crossing over the tracks at a designated public crossing in case signals are failing and don't try to outrun the train.

For more resources and safety tips, check out Operation Lifesaver. Also, thank you to Operation Lifesaver for providing statistics and other safety information.

Special thanks to Rachel McDonnell and Stacey Mansfield at Norfolk Southern for helping me find resources to spread the word about railroad safety.