Starting this Monday and running through September 27 , North American Rail Safety Week will be held . The event aims to spread messages aimed at saving lives and preventing accidents at level crossings on the freight rail network.
Therefore, during this week on social media and through activities in various locations in Mexico, the United States and Canada, the importance of avoiding accidents in the vicinity of level crossings will be put on the public agenda , with information directed at pedestrians, drivers, influencers, as well as all people who interact with the train.
“In Mexico, around 500 trains circulate daily along 23,389 km of the railway network in 28 states of the Republic. The Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) reported that during 2023, 749 collisions were recorded in Mexico at level crossings, this is an average of two incidents per day,” stated the Mexican Railway Association (AMF) .
Therefore, from September 23 to 27 and under the motto #VesVíasPiensaenTren , the North American Rail Road Safety Week is being held in alliance with the organization Operation Lifesaver.
According to data from Operation Lifesaver, in addition to accidents at level crossings, it is increasingly common to hear of acts by young people and adolescents who replicate challenges or high-risk practices on train tracks with fatal consequences.
“In Mexico we have witnessed this type of risk, with people who get too close to the track to take photos or who carry out extreme activities on elevated railway bridges, among many other things, the consequences of which can lead to tragedy,” he said.
He mentioned that these unfortunate incidents not only affect the victims, but also their families, railway workers, emergency services, first responders and communities.
“At the AMF we are certain that these events can be eradicated by providing society with the proper information about the risks. Likewise, accidents at level crossings can be reduced by alerting drivers of the myths surrounding freight trains and with the collaboration and support of the Civil Protection and Traffic teams of the states and municipalities,” he said.
The agency stated that throughout the Safety Week, activities will be carried out in various states of the Republic. Among the recommendations that will be disseminated are:
- People driving trucks and/or private vehicles should take caution when crossing the railroad tracks:
- Come to a complete stop. The train could not stop immediately.
- Turn down the music and avoid any distractions to stay alert
- Look in both directions of the road to ensure that it is clear.
- Only cross the road if there are conditions in which your vehicle can cross the road. If there is traffic, it is better to wait.
- Do not take photos of the train passing by unless you are standing five metres away from the track. The dimensions of the train are larger than the track.
- Do not board freight rail cars to travel on them. The train is not designed to transport people.
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