Railroads across North American took a moment this week to urge safety around railroad tracks as part of Rail Safety Week.
Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) are joining forces for Rail Safety Week across North America. The week runs Sept. 20-26.
The annual week-long event raises awareness about the importance of rail safety education and empowers the public to make safe decisions around tracks and trains.
“Across the United States Operation Lifesaver state programs will share rail safety messages each day during Rail Safety Week underscoring our core mission – to save lives,” Rachel Maleh, executive director of Operation Lifesaver, said in a news release. “We are grateful to our safety partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation and in the first responder community as well as the many other organizations who share the rail safety message this week, but more importantly each and every day.”
Click here to hear a conversation with Rachel Maleh, executive director of Operation Lifesaver, on Railfanning Review in January.
As part of the week, officials have planned a series of events.
Tuesday, for example, focuses on the fifth annual observance of Operation Clear Track in the U.S. and Canada emphasizing the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. Law enforcement partners will conduct awareness exercises, Officer on the Train activities and other in person positive enforcement events; first responders will share RSW messages virtually through social media, email messaging and website posts.
“Safety is the foundation for everything we do at CSX and we are on a mission to increase awareness to help people make the smart decisions around our railroad operations,” Sean Douris, CSX chief of police, public safety & infrastructure protection, said in a news release. “We work hard all year to reduce these preventable incidents. During Rail Safety Week, we partner with OLI to educate the public and reach as many people as possible with information that encourages safe behavior near railroad tracks.”
