Amtrak Police, OLI partner to enforce rail safety

Amtrak Police and Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) have partnered again for the third annual “Operation Clear Track” event to enforce grade crossing and trespassing laws during Rail Safety Week, which runs through Sept. 29.

During the week, 600 police and sheriff’s departments across the country will report to hundreds of railroad grade crossings deemed “high incident” locations by the Federal Railroad Administration, OLI officials said in a press release.

Once onsite, law enforcement officials will enforce their state grade crossing and trespassing laws during a three-hour safety detail, handing out railroad safety public awareness cards and writing citations and warnings to violators.

This year, Operation Clear Track also will be held in Canada.

Railroads and transit-rail agencies across the country are involved in events this week to bring awareness to the importance of safety at grade crossings.