The federal government is calling on New York to inspect all railroad crossings with traffic lights in the hope of avoiding tragic accidents.

The Federal Railroad Administration, a branch of the Department of Transportation, is urging the state Department of Transportation to work with railroads to make sure grade crossing mechanisms are working properly.

It was one year ago that the deadliest accident in Metro-North's history occurred at a grade crossing in Valhalla. The crash left six people dead, including the driver of a car that was on the tracks.

The agency's request is directed at spots where there is a grade crossing and a traffic light to make sure both signals are coordinated.

State Sen. David Carlucci says the state should take a close look at all of New York's grade crossings.

"While the rest of the nation has been declining in terms of railroad accidents, in New York state, we've seen a steady increase of this," he says.

Officials say the best advice at grade crossings is to stop, look and listen.

A spokesman for CSX, which operates a freight line in Rockland County, and the state DOT say they will collaborate to ensure grade crossing signals are working properly.