Understanding the Importance of Railroad Safety
As the summer season gets underway, Amtrak is raising awareness of railroad safety in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from unsafe behaviour by motorists and pedestrians on crossings and tracks.
Railroad Accidents in the USA
Vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings fell 2.4% in 2016, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The number of people killed in these incidents rose 13.7% last year, and deaths due to train track trespassing increased 12.8%. Total trespass-related casualties increased 14.5% from 2015 levels, according to the FRA.
For the whole of the USA, the total number of fatalities involving level crossings was 233 in 2015, 265 in 2016 (Operation Lifesaver, FRA data).
Railroad Safety
America’s Railroad is one of several partners with Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a national, nonprofit safety education group working to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights-of-way.
OLI has programs in 46 states, and trained volunteers who provide free safety presentations to community groups, school bus operators, truckers and student drivers to raise awareness of the dangers around railroad tracks and trains. OLI uses materials from their national public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” to connect with the public through digital ads and at events.
Amtrak Police Department Deputy Chief Martin Conway serves on OLI’s board of directors. Conway said:
“The safety of customers, employees and the public is Amtrak’s top priority”
“Education and outreach are critical in helping the public understand the importance of railroad safety.”
Original article © Amtrak.
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