100 signatures reached
To: City of Woodward and/or BNSF railway
Safe rail crossing for all- Woodward County
On July 14th 2025, my father-in-law, Walter Scott, lost his life when his motorized wheelchair became lodged in the BNSF Railway tracks in Woodward County, Oklahoma. The crossing lacked proper safety infrastructure—no ramps, no protective edging, and no design to prevent wheelchair wheels from slipping into the rails. It was a deadly hazard.
This is not just a personal tragedy. It’s a systemic failure that puts every pedestrian—and especially people with disabilities—at risk. But it’s also one we can prevent.
We are calling on Woodward County, the City of Woodward, and BNSF Railway to work together to:
- Install ADA-compliant pedestrian walkways at all railroad crossings—specifically at locations near neighborhoods, schools, parks, and medical facilities.
- Build proper ramps and edge protections to prevent mobility device wheels from slipping into track grooves.
- Add visual and audible warning systems to alert pedestrians of approaching trains.
- Regularly inspect and maintain crossings to ensure ongoing safety
Why is this important?
This petition honors Walter’s memory and fights so that no other family experiences this heartbreak. Will you stand with us to bring life-saving changes to our community?
👉 Sign now for safe, accessible rail crossings in Woodward County.