According to local officials, an adult  woman is in critical condition after being struck about 2PM Dec. 13 by a westbound BNSF Line Metra train near the Route 59 Train Station. She was transported to Edward Hospital, according to Naperville Sgt. Lou Cammiso.

When general safety principles are followed,  keep in mind that rail is a safe and efficient way for commuters to travel.  In fact, according to statistics, riding a train is  about 24 times safer than traveling by car.

Ten tips for safety at the stations & on the train

1. Whether waiting for a train or waiting to be picked up, choose to stand clear of the tracks where trains are arriving and departing.
2. Stand near other passengers or under a light and with your back to a wall at the station.
3. When parking your car, consider whether you’ll be returning by day or  night. If returning at night, choose a spot you think you’ll feel safe walking in the dark.
4. Trust your instincts—they’re usually right.
5. Be confident—walk tall with awareness of your surroundings.
6. Especially when traveling alone, be aware of whom and what is around you. Simply pay attention without distraction..
7. Seasoned commuters suggest the safest seats are in the cars two-thirds to three-fourths from the front of the train.  Avoid standing and walking from car to car when the train is moving.  As with all moving vehicles, the safest place is your passenger seat. Although walking around may be  permitted, it is important to limit it as much as possible.
8. When on the train, commuters also advise the facing-backward seats and the ones without tables.  Front-facing passengers are more likely to fly out of their seat upon head-on impact, since trains don’t have seat belts.
9. While commuting, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep all of your personal belongings close to you. Items such as cell phones, laptops, iPods and wallets are easy targets for pickpockets, so never leave personal items unattended.
10. Police and police dogs sometimes ride on trains as an added security measure. Never approach these animals as if they were pets.

Rules to remember on the road

Trains have the right of way.  Since trains are powerful and heavy, they cannot stop quickly—even when they’re traveling at low speeds.  In fact, by the time the engineer sees you or your car on the tracks, it’s nearly always impossible to stop the train to avoid hitting you. Trains also can’t swerve to avoid you or your car because they travel on tracks.

Never trespass or cross tracks illegally. Railroad tracks are private property, not public trails for pedestrians. Cross only at a designated crossing. It’s illegal and extremely dangerous to drive around closed crossing gates or to ignore flashing warning lights. Trains travel in both directions on all tracks.

Be cautious. If you’re near train tracks, always expect a train. While you may think you know local train schedules, a train can travel on the tracks at any time. Commuter and regularly scheduled freight trains run early or late. Freight trains are needed to carry goods day and night.  Track maintenance work miles away at a switching location can require dispatchers to adjust schedules. Be prepared for change.