The Amtrak Police Department, Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), first responders and railroads across the U.S. and Canada are delivering virtual simultaneous rail safety messages as part of “Operation Clear Track,” the single largest rail safety education initiative across the U.S. and Canada during Rail Safety Week, September 21-27.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s fourth annual rail safety event will be conducted virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 22, by 368 law enforcement agencies, first responders and emergency departments nationwide, each sending out a single rail safety message designed to reduce deaths and injuries along the railroad rights-of way.
The participating departments are publicly sharing relevant social media content, virtual safety messaging and website postings that emphasize the importance of staying away from railroad tracks. The videos and graphics released today carry strong safety messages delivered by police and those personally impacted by railroad collisions.
Participating departments will also post information focusing on the importance of obeying state railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws throughout Rail Safety Week. According to OLI, each year thousands of people are killed or injured in railroad-related incidents nationwide. Most of these incidents involve trespassing on railroad tracks, which is private property.
Examples of virtual PSA messages include:
- Amtrak Police Crossing Safety PSA “Don’t let your life end like this”
- Rail Safety PSA “Cheating Death”
- Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Trespass Prevention PSA: “Near Miss – Headphones”
- Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Crossing Safety PSA: “Find the Blue and White ENS Sign”
- Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Crossing Safety PSA: “Stop Track Tragedies, Ashley’s Story”
- Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Law Enforcement Partners PSA: “Stop Track Tragedies, Law Enforcement”
For more on rail-safety initiatives and tips, please visit oli.org or stayoffthetracks.org.
-via Press Release