On behalf of my family, I am petitioning for the addition of crossbars and/or lights to the railroad crossing at Queen City Ave. and 16th St. in Tuscaloosa, AL.

On July 13, 2022, my brother, Scott Harless, was tragically killed in a collision with a train at this location, leaving us devastated and heartbroken. We cannot bear the thought of another family experiencing such a loss.

According to statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 2,188 collisions at railroad crossings across the U.S. in 2022 alone.  These accidents resulted in 777 injuries and 274 fatalities.  In Alabama, there were 11 deaths and 3 injuries reported in 2022. 

The Federal Railroad Administration reports that approximately every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States.

We believe that adding crossbars and/or lights to this particular railroad crossing will greatly increase safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Especially with the new dog park/bar that is now near this intersection. The addition of these safety measures has been proven effective in reducing accidents at other crossings across the country. 

We urge local officials to take action before another tragedy occurs. Please sign this petition to show your support for adding crossbars and/or lights at Queen City Ave. and 16th St., so we can prevent future accidents from happening.

Thank you for your consideration on behalf of our community's safety!