If you ever needed a perfect example of decision paralysis, look no further than this jaw-dropping video out of Layton, Utah. A driver found themselves in the worst possible situation—stuck on train tracks with a massive locomotive barreling toward them. But instead of simply driving forward like any sane person (AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THEM TO PREVENT THEM FROM DRIVING FORWAD), they opted to reverse into a crossing gate and then just… sit there. Spoiler alert: that didn’t end well.
A Month and a Day Later, They Finally Decided to Move (Too Late)
The whole incident went down on February 4, 2025, and thanks to newly released Utah Transit Authority (UTA) footage, we get a front-row seat to the slow-motion disaster. The SUV, minding its own business, was gently nudged past the crossing gate by another car. No major damage, no explosion, just a little push—totally driveable, totally savable.
But instead of just going forward (you know, AWAY from the train tracks), the driver decided the best course of action was to slam it in reverse, hit the gate behind them, and freeze up. Genius.
Meanwhile, the train conductor, doing what conductors do, laid on the horn for what felt like an eternity, hoping common sense might kick in. It did not. The driver finally realized that sitting in a 4,000-pound deathtrap wasn’t ideal and casually strolled out of the vehicle—mere seconds before the FrontRunner commuter train turned that SUV into modern art.
It’s a Miracle Nobody Got Hurt—Except That Poor SUV
By some miracle, nobody was injured, except for the SUV, which is now eligible for a spot in the Smithsonian’s “Things That Were Once Cars” exhibit. The train? Well, let’s just say UTA now has an extra $100,000 expense on its books. The crossing gate was also obliterated but was reportedly repaired within 24 hours.
UTA spokesperson Gavin Gustafson, showing more patience than any of us would, said he wouldn’t second-guess the driver, acknowledging that shock can mess with decision-making. But he also made it clear: if you ever find yourself in this situation, just drive through the crossing gate! They’re designed to break away. Your car can handle it. The train? Not so much.
The Unanswered Question: WHY Didn’t They Just Drive Forward?!
Seriously. Watch the video. It’s clear as day: the SUV had plenty of room to clear the tracks. No barricades, no obstacle course, no mysterious force field preventing an escape. It was right there. Yet, instead of pressing the gas and moving forward, this driver panicked, reversed, and turned a bad situation into a spectacular mess.
Was it fear? Confusion? A sudden urge to test the resilience of modern vehicle design? We may never know. But one thing is certain—this is now the gold standard of “just drive forward” moments.
Final Thoughts
Look, we’ve all had those moments where we freeze up under pressure. But when your options are 1) Move forward and live, or 2) Sit there and hope for the best against a 200-ton train, the choice should be pretty obvious. Thank God nobody was hurt, but man, that was painful to watch.
Let’s all take this as a PSA: if you ever find yourself on train tracks and a train is coming, DO NOT overthink it. Just drive forward.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
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That driver should be spay and neutered if in breeding age. How stupid can you be??
You immediately think, “How stupid can he be.” But during a panic attact you are never totally sure how you may react. He just lost control of reason and made a terrible mistake. Thankfully he is still alive and I know he now is asking himself “what in the name of sense was I thinking?” Thank God he is still alive.
There should be a basic IQ test along with a driving test before a DL can be issued. Lots more people would be walking instead of driving. Fortunately, no kids were in the car.
They were already through the gate with no gate in front of them so should have kept going and not backed up. I guess you just can’t fix stupid.
If Utah had built an elevated monorail instead of the Frontrunner train, that could not have happened.
You, ma’am are underestimating the ingenuity of fools.
In the time it took the SUV operator (I refuse to call the person a driver) to shift into reverse, the SUV could have cleared the tracks.
In the time it took for the train to arrive, the SUV could have been 1/2 mile past the tracks.
You don’t have to argue over if the SUV should have stopped before reaching the tracks to declare the operator somewhere below the level of complete idiot.