SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> In honor of Rail Safety Month in September, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, Metrolink, and Amtrak is ramping up efforts to raise awareness and promote safe behaviors near railroad tracks and at crossings throughout Southern California.
California leads the nation in rail-related fatalities and each one is preventable. California also has 2.5X more trespass fatalities than the next highest state.
Every 3 hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. The result is always the same severe injury or even death. Don’t let you or your loved ones become a statistic!
This September, California Highway Patrol is teaming up with California Operation Lifesaver to spread one clear message. See Tracks? Think Train.
Every day, preventable tragedies occur on and around railroad tracks. Whether it is a pedestrian taking a shortcut, a distracted driver ignoring the signs, signals, and laws, or someone unaware that there are multiple tracks with a second train coming. These heartbreaking incidents are entirely avoidable. By raising awareness, providing rail safety education, and each of committing to choose Safety First we can change the tragic injuries and loss of life.
Rail Safety Tips & Facts:
Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.
The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate.
A train traveling at 55 miles per hour can take approximately one mile, or the length of about 18 football fields to stop.
Avoid walking, biking, or jogging on railroad tracks.
Obey all warning signs and signals. Trains can come from either direction on the same track at any time and can be very quiet.
Use of headsets, earbuds or cell phones around tracks can prevent a person from hearing an approaching train.
Remember to always stop at railroad crossings and never drive around lowered gates — it’s illegal and deadly. In addition, there are substantial fines for attempting to go around the crossing arms.
Report an emergency. A toll-free number is posted on every grade crossing for the public to contact a railroad to report problems.
Report suspicious items, persons, or activity immediately by calling 911.
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