Eric Scott says he had no idea that a train was heading toward his car as he started to cross railroad tracks in Anderson 14 years ago.

The intersection had a stop sign, but no flashing lights or crossing arms. The train broad-sided Scott's car and moved it about 2,000 yards down the tracks.

Scott's life was altered. After waking from a coma, he had to relearn how to walk and talk, and he has never fully recovered. Now 32, he says he is unable to hold a job.

He may have had little chance to notice the train. A sloping hill alongside the tracks and blinding sunshine obscured his view, he told 6News' Rick Hightower.

"How are you supposed to see?" Scott said during a recent interview.

For about a decade, government officials have focused on improving railroad crossings and educating drivers as ways to prevent crashes like Scott's. Those who have led the charge say the moves have made a difference.

The number of yearly car-train collisions in Indiana is down about 75 percent from 10 years ago. Still, in 2005, Indiana had the third-highest number of car-train crashes (177) and fourth-highest number of deaths resulting from those crashes (21) in the country.

This month, two brothers -- ages 9 and 12 -- were killed when the van in which they were riding was struck by a train in Greenwood. The crossing had no gates or warning lights.

The boys' family has started an effort to improve railroad-crossing safety by raising awareness and money.

"What price do you put on a life? I don't think it matters what the cost is. If it can save one life at any crossing, it's worth the cost to me," the boys' father, Chuck Findley, said.

People can petition their county governments to make crossing improvements. The decision to take action often comes down to money. Improvements to one crossing can cost $50,000 to $300,000, depending on what -- such as crossing gates or flashing lights -- needs to be added.

The cost of upgrading all the state's crossings would be staggering. Findley said no price is too high.

"Whatever it takes," Findley said. "I know my two little boys would not even want anybody to get hurt, let alone get killed, so I would do anything for them so they don't die in vain."

State police have intensified enforcement at railroad crossings, handing out $200 tickets and assessing points against driver's licenses for people who maneuver around crossing arms or try to beat a train that is within 1,500 of a crossing.

"The number of crashes has reduced over the past 10 years, and we think it's a combination of increased enforcement of Indiana law at the crossings, education put on by volunteers at Operation Lifesaver, and the fact you are seeing more and more active warning devices put up," said Indiana State Police Master Trooper Don Farris.

The Anderson crossing where Scott crashed is one of those that have been improved.

"This crossing gate is here because of my accident," Scott said.