Train: The Most Underrated Killer on Earth & the Mystery of "Habitual Confidence"

On April 1, 2017, American news channel NBC aired a surprising video. It was an experimental report by journalist Jeff Rossen. The experiment's title was: “Can you really not hear a train approaching from behind while standing on the tracks?”

Let’s come back to the experiment in a bit. First, some context.

Many of us believe that train-related deaths mostly happen in Bangladesh. The general assumption is: “Bangladeshis are careless and ignorant. They don’t follow signals. They walk on tracks with headphones on.” That’s a reason, sure. But it’s neither the only reason—nor perhaps even the biggest one.

People have been hit by trains long before mobile phones and headphones were widespread. These devices have only been popular for about 15–20 years. Train-related accidents, however, have occurred for decades.

Even in developed countries like the UK, around 500 incidents occur every year where people are either fatally struck or narrowly escape trains. People die on the tracks even in the US. In 2013 alone, 784 people died from train accidents there.

Back to the experiment.

Every time we hear news of someone getting run over by a train, we ask: "Didn’t they hear the train?" It’s a huge, roaring vehicle—how could someone not hear it?

Jeff Rossen had the same question. So one day, he took a camera crew and stood facing away from the track, with full safety precautions in place. A train approached him from behind—slowly, weaving like a snake.

And yet... no reaction from Rossen.

The train came closer—still nothing. Only when it was nearly upon him did Rossen finally realize it was there. He calculated: the time between when he first heard the train and when it passed him was just 5 seconds.

And that train was moving slowly—at only 25 mph. In the U.S., trains average around 70 mph. Recalculating for that speed: Rossen would’ve had less than 2 seconds to react. Practically no chance at all.

NBC ultimately admitted: the idea of “hearing” a train isn’t so simple. These accidents often involve more than just a victim’s carelessness. There’s science. There’s psychology. We’ll explore that shortly.

Yesterday, a young photographer died while standing on one track and filming another. Some say he was photographing flowers. Whatever the case, a second train struck him from behind. He died instantly.

People blame the “two trains at once” scenario. Maybe that was the cause. But even if there had only been one train, the same thing could’ve happened. Jeff Rossen’s explanation partly applies here.

Do you know how many people die like this in Bangladesh?

According to "Prothom Alo", 1,064 people died in train accidents in 2023—around three people per day.

Let’s break down the numbers:

* Fell from the train roof: 23

* Suicide/unknown cause: 134

* “Earphone incidents”: only 18

* Chatting, loitering, or walking on tracks: 502

* At crossings: 387

There were even cases where 2 to 5 people died at once. Now ask yourself—can all of them have been wearing earphones?

How did multiple people become deaf simultaneously? What kind of magic is this?

I’ve researched a lot, and no study has provided a clear answer. But many articles acknowledge the mystery. People have shared their own experiences: no earphones, not particularly distracted—yet a train passes by like a bullet, unnoticed.

Some weak explanations exist. A few are scientific, others psychological.

One scientific theory suggests that the thick metal rails absorb much of the train’s vibration and sound. People standing near the tracks don’t hear the actual noise.

Another idea: trains are long but narrow. Their sound cuts through the air in an inverted V-shape. So, someone standing directly in front of it doesn’t receive the full brunt of the sound.

There’s also the environment. Unlike roads, railway tracks are often surrounded by trees and foliage. Leaves absorb sound—like walls in a soundproof studio.

But I find the psychological explanations more convincing.

In urban areas, pedestrians are usually alert. Even on small alleyways, inattentiveness can lead to a rickshaw bump. Our senses can only remain alert for so long. When people approach railway crossings, they relax. Only one vehicle type uses this path—and it arrives at long intervals. No immediate danger. So people relax, check their phones, think about work, relationships, life…

The most important and relevant explanation, though—especially in the Bangladeshi context—is this:

"Habitual Confidence."

Let’s analyze a few notable accidents.

The young photographer was no stranger to trains—his last video was shot at a railway station.

The three boys who died in Comilla were station kids—constantly around trains.

The person who died while retrieving bodies was experienced in such operations.

Four day laborers in Lalmonirhat died sitting on the tracks dividing money—after praying at the station mosque.
These weren’t naive or unaware people.

So what happened?

Habitual Confidence.

Over time, familiarity breeds a dangerous kind of confidence. The first time we enter a shady neighborhood, we grip our phone or wallet tightly. A sound behind us makes us jump. But when nothing happens after several visits, we relax. Until one day, we get pickpocketed.

People who deal with trains daily lose their fear. They've crossed tracks a thousand times, always safe. Their brain registers the route as “low risk.” The idea that a train will appear right then*seems absurd. “Trains are always late anyway. So, relax.”

This is the mindset of habitual confidence. It dulls both eyes and ears. It whispers, “The train line is the safest path in the city.”

And then—one unlucky moment. The newspaper runs a tiny headline: “Person killed by train at \[location].” People skip past it.

But maybe that victim, too, once asked: “Don’t people hear trains?”

I'm almost done.

Most people don’t realize how deadly trains really are. Just last year:

* 85 deaths in Bhairab

* 65 in Akhaura

* Over 1,000 nationwide

This is one of the rare tragedies where the driver is blameless. Except in cases of negligence at crossings, the victim bears most of the responsibility.

So, why did I write this?

Because like Jeff Rossen and countless others, I too once wondered: “Why don’t people hear trains?” Are their ears shut?

One day last year, I got part of my answer at the Kawla rail crossing. My wife Tonni and I were walking. No earphones. We weren’t talking either—just a little distracted. At some point, we casually stepped slightly ahead of the safety gate. Not intending to cross—just one foot forward.

Then we paused. Looked up. And with shock and fear, saw a train slicing through the air, right in front of us.

We looked at each other—same question in both our eyes:

“Why didn’t we hear it?”

To be clear, this isn’t a justification for carelessness. Don’t take that away from this.

I only wanted to explain the terrifying reality behind these deaths. And why they happen.

So please—never trust your ears near train tracks. Whether it’s science or psychological trickery, sound can betray you.Use your eyes. Always.

And never ignore the signal.

May all the departed souls rest in peace.