Operation Lifesaver, railroads kick off See Tracks? Think Train! Week

U.S.-based Operational Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) and Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL) today kicked off the annual See Tracks? Think Train! Week, Sept. 15-21, with campaigns about pedestrian and vehicle safety near tracks.

Each day this week, Operation Lifesaver and partner railroads will focus on different safety themes through both in-person and virtual outreach activities. The campaign aims to prevent rail-related injuries and death. According to OLI, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours in the United States, OLI officials said in a press release.

Today's theme is #STOPTrackTragedies media outreach day. OLI has created a new PSA video sharing real-life rail incident experiences. Sept. 16th's theme will focus on crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. On Sept. 17, OLI will highlightrailroads' use of the blue and white "emergency notification system" signs posted on crossings.  Outreach on Sept. 18 will focus on public transit safety and professional driver safety; on Sept. 19, OLI and OL will highlight the important role of volunteers in promoting track safety.

CN is kicking off the week by partnering with the New Orleans Saints professional football team while visiting schools in New Orleans.

"Our organization has strong ties to young people across New Orleans, and with rail safety more important than ever, we’re committed to delivering this life-saving message in a way that truly resonates with our community, said Matt Webb, vice president of corporate partnerships for the New Orleans Saints. 

Similarly, Canadian Pacific Kansas City's police department will stop in U.S. and Canadian communities to share rail safety messages with the public. In Mexico, Rail Safety Week is Sept. 22-27. During that week, CPKC de Mexico employees will deliver rail safety programs to schools and museums, CPKC officials said in a CPKC-issued press release.

The Association of American Railroads today promoted the importance of the federal Railroad Crossing Elimination program, which provides railroads and communities with funding to separate railroad crossings from pedestrian and vehicle rights of way.

"More than 60% of all collisions occur at crossings already equipped with lights or gates — highlighting the public’s role in ending these tragedies," AAR officials said in a press release. "Ultimately, the safest crossing is no crossing at all."