Movie prompts Metrolink to issue anti-trespassing message

This week's opening of the action-adventure movie "Insurgent" has Metrolink officials warning Southern California residents to be cautious around trains and to stay off of railroad tracks.

The film, along with its prequel "Divergent" released last year, depicts characters traveling to different parts of their city by jumping on and off of moving trains.

"Although these movies depict a fantasy world, in reality, about every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States," Metrolink officials said in a press release. "As the operator of a 512-mile passenger railroad system serving the six-county Southern California region, Metrolink is all too aware of this reality."

In Southern California alone, more than 30 people or vehicles were struck by passenger or freight trains in 2014.

"While the film-making community has shown increased awareness of the dangers around train tracks in light of recent incidents, we want to spread that awareness to the movie-going public," Metrolink officials said. "At the same time, there continue to be too many movies, televisions shows, and advertisements which either glamorize or minimize the dangers associated with unsafe behaviors on or around railroad tracks."

In conjunction with Operation Lifesaver Inc., Metrolink asked Lionsgate Entertainment, Summit Entertainment and Southern California movie theater chains to consider airing train-safety public service announcements during their coming attractions this summer.