ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Would you purposely drive in front of a train, a tractor-trailer or even another vehicle? Hopefully, the answer is a resounding, "No!"

Putting yourself in the way of a combat vehicle moving at 45 miles per hour or faster can be just as dangerous.

Employees and tenants have given in to temptation and bypassed the barriers at the test track multiple times since the beginning of 2018, according to "near miss" reports.

Below are examples of two recent events:

• Jan. 24, 2019 -- A pedestrian crossed track at the pedestrian crossing while a M109A6 (Paladin) standard road test was in progress. Vehicle crossing guard rails were in the down position.

• Nov. 7, 2018 -- A forklift driver went around the vehicle crossing guard rails, which were in the down position, while a FAASV was testing.

In 2018, the depot's Directorate of Public Works completed a project extending the gate arms to cover the width of the road. This was done to prevent the possibility of vehicles crossing the test track with the gate arms in the down (stop) position.

Depot Process Control Pamphlet 36, Operation of Vehicle Test Track, prescribes the policies, responsibilities and safety guidelines for combat vehicles during test track operations.

Section 3.9 states:

a. All vehicles shall come to a complete stop and proceed only when track is clear, except as covered in paragraph b below. Vehicle operators will observe the position of the guard rails. If guard rails are down (stop position), do not go around guard rails.

b. Heavy tow vehicles pushing another vehicle shall slow to approximately four miles per hour upon approaching test track and proceed or stop as signaled by guide positioned in front of vehicle. Guide shall assure that both vehicles have sufficient time to cross track to avoid vehicles being tested on test track.

c. Fourth Avenue East will be used as cross point only. It shall not be used as an entrance or exit for the test track.

Remember, the next time you have a need to cross the test track, exercise extreme caution, situational awareness and obey the following rules:

• When the gate is down, stop and wait. Do not cross.

• When the gate is down, that means a tank is operating on the track.

• Pedestrians must follow the same rules -- if the gate is down, do not cross.

• Tanks operate at up to 60 miles per hour. Do not drive around the gate.

• When the gate is up, the test track is clear. Pedestrians and vehicles should still stop and look both ways before crossing.

• Do not turn left or right on the test track. Drive or walk straight across.

• Contact the test track monitor at Ext. 4200 with additional questions.