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Crossing Metro rail tracks could be deadly. People are apparently doing it a lot

Video obtained by WUSA9 shows two recent incidents. The electrified third rail is charged with about 750 volts of power, which is enough to kill you.

WASHINGTON — Metro Transit Police are warning passengers about a serious safety risk – do not cross the rail tracks.

Metro wants everyone to remember that no shortcut is worth your life. 

WUSA9 obtained a video from Friday at L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station that shows a person jumping down onto the tracks and jumping over the dangerous electrified rails to get to the opposite platform.

A train pulling into the station had to stop early in order to avoid hitting this person.

Metro Transit police also recently released another video of someone else doing the same thing.

The electrified third rail is charged with about 750 volts of power, which is enough to kill you.

And apparently, this happens a lot. According to Metro, there have been 32 incidents since May.

WATCH NEXT: Metro sounds the alarm on budget shortfall

Just when service seemed to be back on track with new lines completed, new stations open, and ridership starting to return, Metro is facing cuts that could be the beginning of the end for transit in the DMV.

On Thursday, Metro detailed its future financial planning to address structural funding issues that will leave a projected $750 million shortfall in the fiscal year 2025 budget when federal COVID relief funding runs out. Without an increase in funding, Metro would be forced to make drastic cuts. 

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