Railroads, organizations and communities are recognizing railroad safety as part of a week designated for preventing tragedies on the tracks.
“Our daily themes emphasize crossing safety for drivers, trespass prevention for pedestrians, safe practices for transit riders, partnerships with first responders and more,” Rachel Maleh, executive director of Operation Lifesaver, said in a release. “This annual initiative unites safety advocates across North America to share in our common goal of saving lives. Everyone has a role in making our communities safer.”
Operation Lifesaver, Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads are joining forces to help educate the public and prevent tragedies around railroad tracks and trains during the week of Sept. 23-29. See Tracks? Think Train Week, as it’s known in the United States, and Rail Safety Week, as it’s called in Canada and Mexico, aims to raise awareness, educate and save lives.
“Public safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Sean Douris, CSX’s chief of police, public safety and infrastructure protection, said in a news release. “When it comes to railroads, individual decisions can have an irrevocable impact on personal safety, and the safety of others.”
Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. In the U.S. alone, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours.
“A rail incident can have devastating, long-lasting effects on families, friends, communities, train crews and first responders,” Dale Ruzycki, CPKC Chief of Police Canada said in a news release. “During Rail Safety week, and all year round, we work to encourage children and adults to always act safely around tracks and trains so that everyone goes home safely.”
