Caltrain Board proclaims September rail safety and suicide prevention month

The Caltrain Board has adopted a proclamation designating September as Railroad Safety and Suicide Prevention month to highlight the importance of safety around train tracks and the high rate of intentional deaths on the rails. 

“This proclamation for Railroad Safety and Suicide Prevention month reaffirms Caltrain’s commitment to provide safe and efficient train service between San Francisco and Gilroy,” said Caltrain Board Chair Dev Davis. “It is an opportunity to highlight the promotion and advancement of safety and prevention on the right of way through enhanced safety measures and increased public awareness.” 

In honor of Rail Safety and Suicide Prevention Month, Caltrain will be promoting agency-created rail safety videos, in addition to promoting rail safety and suicide prevention messaging on various social media platforms throughout the month, using #CaltrainSafe and #railsafety. The railroad has historically collaborated with suicide prevention agencies to prevent intentional deaths on the rails by posting crisis hotline signage at points all along the corridor and partnering with local behavioral and mental health organizations. 

On Sept. 17, at 10:00 a.m., Caltrain hosted a ribbon-cutting event at the new Hillsdale Caltrain Station to celebrate the completion of the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project in San Mateo. 

The project separates the train tracks from the road at East 25th Avenue, between El Camino Real and South Delaware Street, while creating new east-west connections at 28th and 31st Avenues. This eliminates the risk of pedestrians and vehicles accessing the tracks and prevents traffic bottlenecks at grade crossings. Studies have shown that separating train tracks from roads is the most effective way to prevent people from getting struck and killed by locomotives. 

Caltrain also addresses safety through a comprehensive, ongoing program that focuses on the “Three E’s” of railroad safety – Education, Engineering and Enforcement. 

For the past 17 years, Caltrain has planned or participated in an annual rail safety event in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, an international model program for rail safety. Since 2009, California Operation Lifesaver has declared September as Rail Safety Month. As one of the nonprofit organization’s community partners, Caltrain joins in its efforts to promote rail safety initiatives. 

To be a part of the conversation during Rail Safety Month, passengers and local residents can pick a favorite safety tip and share it on social media with #CaltrainSafe and #RailSafety. 

Examples of tips:   

• If you encounter an emergency on Caltrain or see something suspicious, call the Transit Police at 1.877.SAF.RAIL (1.877.723.7245). 
• A typical Caltrain train can take nearly a mile to stop, even when emergency brakes are applied. 
• It is never safe to stop closer than 15 feet from the rails, and a train is at least three feet wider than tracks on both sides. 
• Only cross Caltrain tracks at designated crossings when it is safe to do so. While it might not be the quickest route, it is the safest. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained counselor at the Crisis Text Line.