On: Tesla Model S locks up in the middle of a highway

[gopalv]

> Tesla didn’t send an emergency tow truck, but instead directed him to call 911

So about 3 years ago, there was a car which got a wheel stuck in the caltrain crossing near 4th st in SF (they turned right into the tracks without completely crossing over).

We were appalled to find out that the guy in the car was on hold with the rental company & we immediately called 911.

The cops responded within 2 minutes (they were probably parked in UCSF) and stopped the trains on 22nd.

People do panic and don't always think straight on what should be done in an emergency.

[Animats → gopalv]

So about 3 years ago, there was a car which got a wheel stuck in the CALTRAIN crossing near 4th st in SF (they turned right into the tracks without completely crossing over). We were appalled to find out that the guy in the car was on hold with the rental company & we immediately called 911.

Of course you call 911. You also call the number on the blue and white "REPORT EMERGENCY OR PROBLEM" sign that's at every US crossing and read them the crossing number on that sign. Usually it connects to the train dispatcher who controls that track, has the controls to turn signals red, and has a radio link to the locomotives. Call that number, tell them there's a car stuck on the tracks at crossing 123 456, and trains will be stopped.

DOT actually says to call that number before calling 911. The 911 dispatcher will eventually call the railroad, but there may be confusion and delay as to where the problem is. (Cops use street names and addresses, railroads use routes and milepost numbers.)

Those blue and white signs are kind of low key. Maybe too low key. It's not obvious that the blue and white sign gets you to the person who actually controls the trains.

If stuck on a crossing, get out of the vehicle, get well clear of the crossing, like 50-100 feet, and call. Then, once the train dispatcher tells you they have rail traffic stopped, efforts to extract the vehicle can begin.