Comments on: Emory Grad Student Dies After Jumping Fence at Stone Mountain

By: Deanne

Deanne — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:56:04 +0000

smalltowngal,

My wish for a single marker (with the AJC article) was sincerely meant in tribute to the young man’s death. His widow’s honest accounting would hit home with far more folks than any number of signs ever could.

I join you in hoping that his family is taking some comfort from the fact that he died doing what he loved while fully accepting the risk.

By: Karass

Karass — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 10:22:09 +0000

I agree that we are between a rock and a hard place on the choices of how to cross the tracks to Renfroe when kids arrive at the tracks smack between the the legal crossings and near neither plus neither legal crossing is particularly safe itself. I know what the legal correct answer is and what I tell my kids (in DEEP trouble and grounded forever if break the law), but I also know what I probably have done at age 11-14 years if late for school. The situation just begs for a pedestrian crossing over or under the tracks. My understanding is that CSX nixes any such crossing no matter what it is or who pays. 120 extra days in purgatory for them!

Given that an over or under the tracks solution is unlikely, what more can be done to redesign or otherwise make the intersections safer without involving CSX? The city has been attentive to the issue and done a lot with crossing guards but what more could be done? I’ll bet anyone who either bikes, walks, or drives over the tracks would support the city spending money on improving the intersections. Those intersections are located in the heart of the city and are vital connections between the north and south sides of the community.

By: J_T

J_T — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:15:01 +0000

Among other things, YES.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:48:32 +0000

Trains move fast, but those horns are LOUD.
And is it REALLY safer for the kids to walk down to the corner where they come into closer contact with cars? I know a car has better brakes than a train, but I think trying to stop kids from crossing those tracks is a losing battle. And one that the school system and crossing guards will continue to fight, bless them.

By: cubalibre

cubalibre — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:50:30 +0000

Heh! Are you saying women rugby players light their own flatulence, dynamite snowmen, and ride bikes down tiny, steep stair rails?