Implications and Consequences - It takes 3 times the distance of a quarter mile for a train to stop, so it is implied that the Whistle post at the quarter mile marker is not an effective preventative measure or warning. If the trees had been cut down to provide better visibility before the quarter-mile whistle, John would have had a better chance of seeing the train. Increased visibility would also have allowed Lee Thompson to start whistling and braking sooner. If the crossing had gates, a train coming out of a treeline at 60 mph ¼ mile before the crossing wouldn't be so surprising and John still would be.