Light Rail Safety
Safety is METRO’s highest priority
METRO is actively and regularly testing vehicles in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. At any time of the day or night, you may find yourself near an operating light rail vehicle or a METRO train consisting of two or three vehicles connected together. Each METRO vehicle is 90 feet long and weighs more than 100,000 pounds. Now is the time to learn and pratice the rules of light rail safety.
Download our safety brochure, maze, word search, and 11x17 kids safety poster.
Driving and bike riding
- Never stop or park your car or bike on light rail tracks.
- Obey all traffic signals. A red arrow means “do not turn.”
- Never try to beat a train through the intersection.
- Light rail trains are quiet. Listen for warning bells and watch for flashing headlights on the train.
- Look both ways before crossing the tracks
- Treat METRO high-voltage powerlines with the same respect as utility company lines.
Walking
- Don’t walk on or stand near the tracks.
- Jaywalking is illegal and unsafe. Cross only at crosswalks and obey the crosswalk signals.
- Be alert when near the tracks. Light rail is extremely quiet. Listen for warning bells and look for flashing headlights.
Teach your kids about light rail safety
- Remind your children to stop, look and listen—especially around light rail tracks.
- Teach children to cross intersections only in a crosswalk and to obey the crosswalk signs.
- Never allow children to play near the tracks and never fly kites or models near the high-voltage overhead power lines.
- When walking with children, keep them together and away from the tracks.
- Skateboarding, rollerblading and riding bikes in the guideway or on light rail platforms is not safe and is not permitted.
Use the links on this page to get a basic overview of light rail safety and your responsibilities, and to learn about the safety elements that we have designed into the system.