A new Grand Jury report says Santa Barbara County has a larger number of train related deaths than other counties in the region, and is calling for steps to reduce the number of fatalities. The report says than from 2015 to 2018, there were 20 train related deaths on the county’s 109 miles of rail line.
95% of the deaths were caused by people trespassing onto railway right of way. And, more than half of the deaths were determined to be suicides.
The Santa Barbara County Grand Jury recommends some steps to reduce deaths. They include sealing off key corridors in the Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara and Goleta areas from foot traffic, and adding fencing.
Other suggestions include trimming back trees to make trespassers more visible, adding security cameras, and enhancing patrols.
