9 Investigates close calls involving light rail trains

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's light rail line crosses dozens of streets and crosswalks on its way from Interstate 485 in south Charlotte to 7th Street in uptown, which has led to rare, but potentially serious, close calls involving pedestrians and cars.

CATS tells Channel 9 that they have recorded 92 near misses, defined as times when train operators had to use the train's emergency brakes to avoid a collision with cars, pedestrians or animals.

Many of those near misses were captured on video, and for the first time CATS has shared some of those cases with Eyewitness News.

Levern McElveen, CATS general manager of safety and security, explained one video to reporter Mark Becker as it rolled in his office.

"This is the northbound track ... so as the train is approaching you see an individual who almost got hit," McElveen said.

"What I need you to notice is that he was totally distracted," McElveen added.

"He could've been texting. But he never looked to see whether or not a train was coming."

In another instance, a man was about to cross the tracks at the Sharon Road West station when he saw the train and suddenly turned around.

"He fortunately responded in time. But again, this is another situation where the passenger failed to abide by the signs that are out there," McElveen said.

All of the light rail stops and crossings are marked with signs warning pedestrians and drivers to pay attention and watch for trains, but it doesn't always work.

McElveen showed another clip, where two cars had gone past the crossing gate and stopped just a few feet from the tracks.

"Once they were trapped inside the gates, they made the conscious decision to take off, despite the fact that the train was coming," McElveen said.  And the video shows the two cars flash in front of the train moments before it crosses behind them.

"That was a matter of seconds," McElveen said.

McElveen said they do not issue citations to pedestrians or drivers who cross the tracks when they are not supposed to, and rely on a safety campaign to get their message out.

"You don't take this for granted. You must be aware of your surroundings. Trains cannot stop on a dime,” McElveen said.

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