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On April 26, Operation Lifesaver will launch the 2004 Canadian "Rail Safety Public Awareness Week," which is designed to help reduce crossing collisions and trespassing incidents in the country.

During the week, Operation Lifesaver will host numerous local events and stage activities across Canada, including crossing blitzes, "Officer on the Train" initiatives, mock collision scenarios, radio and television public-service announcements, school presentations, mall displays, media interviews, conferences and community group speeches.

"We first launched this extra effort last spring to raise public awareness of the dangers associated with trying to race a train to a crossing, or from taking a shortcut through a working rail yard," said National Operation Lifesaver Director Dan Di Tota in a prepared statement. "Last year, there were 72 fatalities and 72 serious injuries involving the public along the railway tracks in Canada, [and] virtually all were avoidable with due caution."

Sponsored by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada, Operation Lifesaver has helped reduce crossing collisions and trespasser incidents 60 percent since the organization was launched in Canada in 1981.