Freight train vs. a pedestrian

[Minnie824]

So, DH & I were driving home on Sat night, and were listening to the newsradio on traffic, etc. Multiple times during that, the one radio announcer guy says, "roads are blocked (in this certain area) and trains are blocked in both directions due to a freight train versus a pedestrian." Is it just us, but that just doesn't sound right? Is the guy trying to make a joke? I mean, its not a boxing match, and I'm gonna guess who 'won'. Couldn't he just say there was an accident, a pedestrian got hit, etc?

 

[BethanyF]

It happens all too often around here...both that style of accident and the way they report it. Metra vs pedistrian, freight vs pedistrian, metra vs car, frieght vs car, and so on.

 

[Ava83]

freight train versus a pedestrian

They use that phrase here in Chicago tons. I never understood it.

 

[binny]

yep they use that term here too.

 

[ntburns22]

My DH is a freight train conductor. He has noticed that when he is on Chicago that is what they saY. But if it is in our area it is reffered as an accident.

 

[laurie31]

This is the way accidents are referred to in the ER (pedestrian vs. motor vehicle, car vs 18 wheeler, motorcycle vs SUV, etc. ) so we can have an expectation of how severe the injuries might be, and know the mechanism of injury. (ie - bicycle vs. parked car not as bad as bicycle vs truck) It seems a little insensitive for them to announce it on the radio, though. Pedestrian vs train gives me a pretty graphic visual I doubt the victim made it to an ER) The announcer should have just said "accident" out of respect for the victim's family IMHO.

Laurie