Rail Crossing Crashes in Dagestan and Yaroslavl Highlight Safety Needs

Two separate accidents at railway grade crossings unfolded in Dagestan and along the North Caucasus corridor, underscoring the continuing danger of crossings where roads and rails intersect. On March 17 at 18:00, near the village of Dzhemikent, a Kamaz truck moved toward a crossing when a train traveling from Makhachkala to Derbent appeared. The truck was approaching a red light and attempted to cross, but the train arrived first. The collision sent the truck off the rails, and the driver, a 56-year-old man, did not survive. Emergency crews secured the scene, diverted traffic, and launched an investigation into the sequence of events. The accident disrupted both road and rail movements in the area as investigators collected evidence and documented witness accounts. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that trains require far more stopping distance than road vehicles, and a single misjudgment can prove fatal. In the aftermath, discussions about improvements to crossing protections and public education on crossing safety gained renewed urgency, reflecting a broader push to prevent such losses in the future.