Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced Monday that it has joined Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL), Operación Salvavidas (OLI) in the United States and the Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles (AMF) to raise awareness about rail safety in communities across North America.
During Rail Safety Week, September 23-29, CPKC Police Service officers in Canada and the United States will be in schools, neighborhoods and communities across the network giving rail safety presentations to raise awareness of the dangers of unsafe behavior around trains and tracks.
In Mexico, representatives from CPKC Mexico will help spread the #SeeTracksThinkTrain safety message in collaboration with AMF by educating students, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians on how to stay safe at railroad crossings and near tracks.
CPKC Police Chief of Canada Dale Ruzycki said an incident on the rails can have devastating and lasting effects on families, friends, communities, train crews and first responders.
“During Rail Safety Week and throughout the year, we work to encourage children and adults to always act safely around the tracks and trains, so that everyone returns home safe and sound,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPKC U.S. Chief of Police Kelly Clough said See Tracks Think Train Week is an opportunity to work together with other railroad companies, governments, local law enforcement and communities to promote public safety around railroad crossings and tracks. “One incident is too many. We must remain vigilant with ourselves, our families and our friends to help stop tragedies on the tracks,” she said.
According to OLI, approximately 2,100 Americans are seriously injured or killed each year due to unsafe behavior near railroads and trains.
“The week brings together rail safety awareness and education activities from across North America into one impactful seven-day campaign. With more than 140,000 miles of track across the United States and 200,000 locations where roads cross the tracks, making safe choices around railroad tracks and trains is critical,” said Rachel Maleh, executive director of Operation Lifesaver.
CPKC will participate in Operation Clear Path in Canada, which includes placing “Look. Listen. Live” signs at four rail crossings in CPKC’s network across Canada. In collaboration with OLI, CPKC will promote #STOPTrackTragedies in the United States.
“Over the past few months, we have seen an uptick in the number of serious injuries and fatalities related to track-crossing and rail crossing incidents across Canada. Every tragedy on the tracks reminds us that rail safety is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play in “getting to zero,” a vitally important message this Rail Safety Week and throughout the year,” said Chris Day, Acting National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada.
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