Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) and its North American safety partners, Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads, are once again joining forces to help prevent tragedies around railroad tracks and trains during the week of Sept. 23-29.
See Tracks? Think Train® Week (formerly Rail Safety Week in the U.S.) is a concentrated week of rail safety education focusing attention on the importance of making safe choices when driving or walking near railroad tracks and trains. OLI launched the campaign in 2017.
“In the U.S., See Tracks? Think Train® Week is all about raising awareness and promoting rail safety education. We’re highlighting the critical importance of making safe choices around railroad tracks and trains,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “Our daily themes emphasize crossing safety for drivers, trespass prevention for pedestrians, safe practices for transit riders, partnerships with first responders and more. This annual initiative unites safety advocates across North America to share in our common goal of saving lives. Everyone has a role in making our communities safer. Know the facts, recognize the signs, make good decisions and join us. Together, we can #STOPTrackTragedies.”
In the U.S., a different theme will be highlighted each day. The observance will feature in-person events led by state Operation Lifesaver Programs, as well as virtual activities and social media efforts sharing lifesaving rail safety education messages.
The themes are as follows:
- Sept. 23: Rail Safety Week kicks off with the overarching theme of #STOPTrackTragedies and a focus on Media Outreach and See Tracks? Think Train® Week Proclamations in states and localities. OLI will release two new #STOPTrackTragedies video public service announcements.
- Sept. 24: Focusing on the annual observance of Operation Clear Track in the U.S. and Canada, emphasizing the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. Law enforcement partners will conduct awareness exercises, officer on the train activities and other in-person positive enforcement events, as well as join first responders sharing rail safety education messages through social media, emails and website posts.
- Sept. 25: Highlighting Crossing Safety, with outreach to the public including driver education students, drivers of all ages, shift workers, school bus drivers and farmers, as well as outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of the blue and white emergency notification system signs at crossings.
- Sept. 26: Transit Safety Thursday and Professional Driver Safety showcase how to stay safe as a rail commuter or transit rider, as well as safe choices around railroad tracks and trains for professional drivers. Transit riders will be encouraged to take and share OLI's transit safety pledge.
- Sept. 27: Focusing on Volunteering with OLI, along with Wearing Red or "Red Out" for Rail Safety by encouraging partner safety organizations, schools, railroad employees and the public to wear red and share photos on social media.
- Sept 28: Highlighting Trespass Prevention, educating pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, college students, people experiencing homelessness and outdoor enthusiasts about the dangers posed by being on or near the tracks.
- Sept. 29: Promoting No Photo, Video or Selfie is Worth the Risk, to warn professional and amateur photographers, as well as social media influencers against putting themselves or others in danger by illegally taking photos, videos or filming near tracks and trains.
According to OLI, a vehicle or person is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S. In North America, more than 2,300 people are injured or killed per year due to railroad crossings and trespass incidents. More than 60 percent of collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights and/or gates.
Brightline's safety efforts
To support See Tracks? Think Train® Week, Brightline selected the winner of The Big Concert Sweepstakes, which includes two tickets to The Big Concert on Oct. 20, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., and four SMART round-trip Brightline tickets for the Tay-keover Sing-Along train. Brightline says more than 42,000 signed up for the ticket giveaway by taking the Rail Safety Pledge, committing to be safe around active railroad tracks.
“This sweepstakes was a tremendous success. We introduced rail safety education to a new audience by leveraging the excitement and anticipation of one of the biggest pop culture events,” said Brightline’s Chief Commercial Officer Travis Christ. “To date, more than 42,000 people have taken the Rail Safety Pledge and we look forward to continuing to share this important message.”
During See Tracks? Think Train® Week, Brightline is partnering with more than a dozen law enforcement agencies along the Florida East Coast Corridor to conduct educational outreach at highway railroad grade crossings. Brightline teammates from the safety and security department will join local officials in handing out rail safety materials and encouraging the public to stay safe around active railroads.
The agency says it looks at safety from a three pronged approach:
- Education
- Enforcement
- Engineering
This year, Brightline unveiled the rail safety-focused model train exhibit at the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast, and construction on the $45 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant project will start in 2025. The construction project will include enhancements to the corridor in seven counties between Miami-Dade and Brevard counties. The project, in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation, aims to limit access to the railroad right-of-way to reduce the number of trespassers, deter pedestrians and guide people to designated grade crossings. Suicide hotline signs plan to be installed to support people who need mental health resources.
To learn more about what other agencies have done to boost rail safety, check out these articles from Mass Transit:
Combatting distracted communities to boost rail safety
OLI awards $200,000 in competitive crossing safety awareness grants for programs in 12 states
MBTA launching Safety First program in conjunction with opening of South Coast Rail service
Amtrak takes a pledge to rail safety
OLI partnering with FRA to award $50,000 Innovative Rail Safety Competitive Grant to New York OL
