Train whistles annoy but save lives

To the editor:

When I saw the headline "Federal rules could muffle train whistles," I chuckled, thinking it was silly. After reading the article I became very concerned. This was not a joke but something that is seriously being considered. Obviously the ones who are opposing the train whistles have never had anyone in their family or a friend killed in a train-vehicle accident.

Whistles are not only for the safety of vehicles, but also for pedestrians, railroad personnel and livestock. Minimal traffic on a railroad crossing does not make safety warnings unnecessary. I also live close to a railroad crossing. The train whistles can be very aggravating. But the one life these whistles can save is well worth the irritation. If engineers are not allowed to sound the whistle until 20 seconds before a train reaches a crossing, why sound it at all?

Life is full of inconveniences: railroad crossing bars that come down for no reason, traffic lights that hold too long when there is no traffic, school zone lights that are on even when there are no children around and emergency vehicle sirens coming through our neighborhoods even when they are not coming to our residence. Life is short, and there are much more important things to worry about than a train whistle.

LOYCE PROBST PURSLEY

Wichita Falls, Texas