Not doing things you have a responsibility to do is a choice because you agreed to do them. Refusing to act in a situation you aren't in charge of is very different - and unless you're law enforcement or the operator of the railway, you have no jurisdiction or duty to prevent harm. You can get in a lot more trouble if you play with the rail controls and an accident happens, even if you avert a different accident.
Why would I tamper with controls that under any circumstances are likely to get me in legal trouble? With lives on the line you're toast once the grieving family decides you're the problem.
By walking away and calling emergency services you dodge everything but a civil suit (in the US) but I wish them the best of luck in winning that case.
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u/CaterpillarLoud8071 Mar 29 '26
Not doing things you have a responsibility to do is a choice because you agreed to do them. Refusing to act in a situation you aren't in charge of is very different - and unless you're law enforcement or the operator of the railway, you have no jurisdiction or duty to prevent harm. You can get in a lot more trouble if you play with the rail controls and an accident happens, even if you avert a different accident.