Operation Lifesaver, railroads kick off Rail Safety Week

Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada and North American railroads yesterday kicked off this year's Rail Safety Week, which runs through Sept. 25.

The industry-wide collaboration aims to educate the public on how to be be safe near railroad tracks. The annual rail-safety campaign began in 2017.

OLI this year is continuing “Operation Clear Track,” a joint effort between OLI and the Amtrak Police Department to reduce deaths and injuries on the railroad. The operation calls for Amtrak police officers to visit grade crossing sites with high incident rates. Once there, officers will share safety tips with pedestrians and drivers, as well as enforce trespassing and crossing laws by writing warnings and citations, OLI officials said.

Railroads and transit agencies hosting activities this week include:

• Amtrak, which is hosting a community event at the Fullerton Train Museum in Fullerton, California, where local residents can meet railroad workers and tour equipment to learn more about how to stay safe around rail tracks;
• CSX, whose police force is engaging in educational events in states with the highest number of rail-safety incidents, including Texas, California and Georgia;
• Railway Association of Canada, which is hosting child-friendly events, including readings of the new "Stay Safe" children's book series based on Thomas the Tank Engine;
• Sound Transit, which is launching a rail-safety ad campaign on its social media sites; and
• Union Pacific Railroad, which is providing free downloadable content to teachers and parents via the online Rail Safety Station, an education portal offering educational resources and toolkits. The initiative  is part of UP's Community Ties Giving Program.

Every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States, according to OLI.