A new public service announcement (PSA) has been launched by Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the national nonprofit rail safety education organization, that highlights how rail trespass incidents have lasting impressions on rail employees.
The PSA is part of an ongoing #STOPTrackTragedies campaign, made in partnership with Metra, the commuter railroad serving the Chicago metro area, featuring videos outlining the personal stories of people directly affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents.
The new PSA shares the story of Maurice Taylor, a veteran Metra locomotive engineer, who was involved in an incident with a trespasser while operating his train.
(Maurice Taylor, a veteran locomotive engineer, tells his story about a rail trespassing incident. Stay off, stay away, stay safe. Courtesy of Operation Lifesaver and Vimeo.)
“Our newest #STOPTrack-Tragedies PSA, featuring Maurice Taylor, offers the important perspective of railroad locomotive engineers and other crew members regarding rail trespassing incidents, and shows why Operation Lifesaver tells people to ‘stay off, stay away, stay safe,’” explains Director Rachel Maleh, Executive Director at Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
“We are grateful to Maurice for sharing his story and to the FTA and Metra for their ongoing partnership.”
“Know the facts. Make good decisions. Take the Rail Safety Pledge and share the rail safety message. Together, we can stop track tragedies.”
“That’s why Metra and Operation Lifesaver’s longstanding partnership in rail safety education is so important, and why Metra is proud that one of our employees is playing such a central role in communicating the importance of staying safe by staying off the tracks.”
(Nick Sayer shares a lifesaving message for commuter rail and rail transit riders: always stay focused at commuter rail and rail transit stations and facilities.Stay off, stay away, stay safe. Courtesy of Operation Lifesaver and Vimeo.)
RAIL SAFETY WEEK IS SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2022!
Together, we can #STOPTrack-Tragedies.
Rail Safety Week is a collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc., state Operation Lifesaver programs, and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Federal statistics show that stakeholders have helped to reduce the number of train/motor vehicle collisions from a 1972 high of roughly 12,000 annual incidents to approximately 2,200 incidents in 2019, however, every incident is one too many for the victims, operators, and families of those affected so it would benefit all of us to know and observe track safety basics.
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Freight trains don’t travel at fixed times, and schedules for passenger trains often change. Always expect a train at each highway-rail intersection at any time.
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All train tracks are private property. Never walk on tracks; it’s illegal to trespass and highly dangerous. It takes the average freight train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile—the length of 18 football fields—to stop. Trains cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
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The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or 200 tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car. We all know what happens to a soda can hit by a car.
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Trains have the right of way 100% of the time over emergency vehicles, cars, the police, and pedestrians.
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A train can extend three feet or more beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three-foot mark. If there are rails on the railroad ties, always assume the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks unused.
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Trains can move in either direction at any time. Sometimes its cars are pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled, which is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger services.
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Today’s trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale “clackety-clack.” Any approaching train is always closer and moving faster than you think.
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Remember to cross train tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings, and obey all warning signs and signals posted there.
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Stay alert around railroad tracks. Refrain from texting, using headphones, or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train; never mix rails and recreation.
Courtesy of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI)
(Operation Lifesaver, Inc. shares safety tips for transit riders, drivers and pedestrians to stay safe on and near public transit systems.
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Always expect a train. Trains are quieter and faster than you think, can run on any track, at any time, from either direction, and do not run on schedules.
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Walking on or beside railroad tracks is illegal.
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The only safe place to cross tracks is at designated public crossings with a crossbuck, flashing red lights, or a gate. Crossing anywhere else is illegal.
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Crossing tracks on a bike, with a stroller, in a wheelchair, or on other narrow wheels requires caution and extra attention. Plan ahead when choosing a route. When possible, walk, don’t ride across the tracks. Cyclists, walk your bike across train tracks at a 90-degree angle. If in a wheelchair, consider getting assistance or taking an alternate route.
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Never pass flashing lights or go around lowered gates. Always wait until lights have stopped flashing and gates are completely raised.
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Wait to cross until you can see clearly in both directions. Multiple tracks may mean multiple trains.
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Stay off railroad bridges and trestles. Stay out of railroad tunnels. There is ONLY ROOM for the train.
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Do not attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. Trains, tracks, and railroad yards are NOT playgrounds. Never climb on, under, or through railroad cars. Never jump on or off a train while it’s moving.
Courtesy of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI)
Cross legally and safely. Know the facts. Make good decisions.
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Trains and cars don’t mix.
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The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think.
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Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
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Never drive around lowered gates — it’s illegal and deadly.
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Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping.
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If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks, get out and get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. Locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle.
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At a multiple-track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
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When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember it isn’t safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail.
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ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
Courtesy of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI)
Contact your state coordinator to schedule a free highway-rail safety presentation. Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteers may be available to speak in school classrooms, with scouting and community service groups, to driver education students and for company safety programs.
Join the many dedicated volunteers across the country who are trained to deliver our rail safety messages. For information, click on become an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer, call us at 703-739-0309 or contact your OL state coordinator.
For more information regarding near-miss incidents on the tracks, visit oli.org/passenger-rail-safety.
(Influencers and Photographers, make safety a clear priority. Stay off, stay away, stay safe. Courtesy of Operation Lifesaver and Vimeo.)
Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks.
In 1986 the non-profit Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) national office was created to help support and coordinate efforts of state Operation Lifesaver programs, saving lives by sharing rail safety messages with audiences across the U.S. and beyond.
OLI programs are active in 47 states and the District of Columbia. A national network of trained volunteers gives free rail safety presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains.
OLI’s free Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) provides critical information for first responders when managing incidents around tracks and trains.
Operation Lifesaver’s Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC), was developed for the North American law enforcement and first responder community by the nation’s railroad police and Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
RISC prepares first responders to use the proper safety techniques while investigating or responding to a grade crossing collision or trespasser incident, in addition to maintaining on-scene safety unique to the railroad environment.
If railroad tracks run through your community, first responders could become involved in responding to a highway-rail grade crossing incident. This course provides critical information allowing first responders to respond to and investigate incidents involving the railroad effectively and safely.
Operation Lifesaver’s RISC Course is offered at the Basic (1-hour), Intermediate (2-hour), and Advanced (4-hour) levels. Training is available at no cost to help officers and first responders more effectively and safely manage such incidents.
This course is geared towards law enforcement and first responders, teaching them how to be safe on and around railroad tracks while they are investigating an incident.
To Learn More, download the RISC Flyer, email RISC@oli.org, or Sign Up to schedule free RISC Training Today!
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(Hear a recent interview with Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino held at Identity Week Europe on leveraging biometric comparison technology in U.S. air, maritime, and land border environments for the security of passengers, enhancing the customer experience and limiting the transmission of biological pathogens while respecting personal privacies and educating the public as the CBP further expands the implementation of biometrics to keep up with threats to the aviation and other border sectors. These new technological tools are there to automate administrative functions so that the most valuable component of the process, the officers, are able to focus on critical issues as they arise. Courtesy of evie kim sing and YouTube. Posted on Jul 13, 2022.)
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(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)
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