The country’s railway industry will hold the sixth edition of Railway Road Safety Week in Mexico from September 22 to 28, with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of prevention around train tracks.
“It’s an awareness campaign, explaining to people, not just drivers but also children, and people near the tracks, including cyclists. We tell them you have to pick up your bike. The key message is: stop, look, and listen. If you stop before crossing the tracks, see that the train isn’t coming, and hear that the train isn’t coming, you’re saving your life and the lives of those with you. The other thing is, if you see tracks, think of the train,” said Oscar Del Cueto, president of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) in Mexico.
In a radio interview, he explained that 500 trains operate daily across the entire network in Mexico , hence the awareness campaign so people can be cautious, regardless of whether they regularly cross the tracks.
“What motorists, whether they cross the road every day or are crossing it for the first time, need to do is always be alert. If you see tracks, think of trains; if you see tracks, stop before crossing. We’re talking at least five to 10 meters away from the road to avoid an accident,” he said.
He mentioned that several accidents have occurred over the years, not only due to the lack of signaling, but also due to people’s carelessness. “It’s better to wait 10 to 15 minutes for the entire train to pass than to later regret situations like those we’ve experienced in previous years and recently.”
According to the Rail Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) , 784 vehicle collisions were recorded in 2024, an increase of 4.6% compared to 2023.
It should be noted that so far this year, the agency has only published figures up to the first quarter of this year, highlighting a 5% drop in incidents of this type.
The executive emphasized that in the case of the train accident on his tracks in the municipality of Atlacomulco, State of Mexico, the train was traveling at an authorized speed, even lower.
“The problem is how do you stop a convoy of that size? A train that weighs approximately 10,000 tons, traveling at a speed of 48 km/h, needs at least 1 km to stop. Even if it sees the bus and applies emergency braking, it won’t even stop. Our crew was called to testify as witnesses. All regulations state that you have to stop before crossing the railroad tracks. The train has priority, even over firefighters and ambulances. You can’t stop a train. Any municipal, state, or federal regulation requires you to stop before crossing the tracks. So, the railroad company isn’t responsible. The bus company is responsible, but the invitation this week and every day is to stop before crossing the railroad tracks,” he stated.
He stated that in this case , they had already provided the information requested by the corresponding authority and regretted the accident.
Oscar Del Cueto said that CPKC Mexico conducts a year-round campaign called Alto Total at the intersections with the highest number of accidents, such as Monterrey, Morelia, and San Luis Potosí.
“We go and give all operators, both public and freight, as well as motorists, a sheet explaining the basics: if you see tracks, think of a train; if you’re about to reach the tracks, stop, look, and listen. Recently, three or four years ago, Waze, the app that guides us to destinations, was able to warn you if there are any tracks you’re about to cross. This is now an additional measure for this app,” he said.
He recalled that Canada and the United States also hold Rail Road Safety Week, although it takes place from September 15 to 21.
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