HARRISBURG – Each year, more than 2,100 people are seriously injured or killed in a railway crossing and trespassing incident in the U.S. and Canada, but officials are hoping to save lives after kicking off a new program to promote safety.
Coordinated by Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver Inc., and Operation Lifesaver Canada, Operation Clear Track aims to reduce the number of railway crossing and trespassing incidents in the U.S. and Canada. The event is held during the annual observance of Rail Safety Week September 21-27.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Office of State Fire Commissioner are joining forces with the first responder community throughout the U.S. and Canada for Operation Clear Track — the single largest rail-safety initiative in North America.
“Far too often, our agency receives information from local responders about another injury or death near railway infrastructure in the Commonwealth,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “This important effort to bring awareness to the dangers posed to the public in close proximity to rail lines will save lives.”At least 39 incidents involving rail traffic have occurred in Pennsylvania so far this year; 24 of these have occurred at rail crossings.
“With more than 5,600 miles of track and the highest number of operating railroads in the country, rail safety is of utmost importance in Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to be safe around rail crossings and railroad rights-of-way, and we’re proud to join our partners to commemorate Rail Safety Week.”
Operation Clear Track offers safety tips to help you stay safe around Pennsylvania’s railroads:
- Never drive around lowered gates — it is illegal and can be deadly.
- Never race a train to the crossing.
- Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is 3 feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
- If your vehicle ever stalls on a track while a train is coming, get out immediately and move quickly away from the tracks in the direction from which the train is coming.
- At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.
- Always expect a train! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
- Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
- Do not be fooled — the train you see is closer and moving faster than you think.
- When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping.
- Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings.
- Never walk down a train track; this too is illegal and can be deadly.
- Remember: Rails and recreation do not mix!
Operation Clear Track and Rail Safety Week are promoting a needed and important lesson that we want our citizens to fully understand,” State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego added. “We know the most common incidents involve rail crossings and are almost always easily avoidable.”
