Law enforcement officials issue citations and
warnings to violators
WASHINGTON
– The Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), the national
railroad safety education organization today mobilized more than 600 police and
sheriff’s departments across the country for “Operation Clear Track,” the
largest railroad safety detail in the United States. The third annual law
enforcement initiative is one of several events to mark Rail Safety Week, which
runs from September 22-28 nationwide.
“This Rail Safety Week, we ask that you think beyond the
danger you put yourself in when trespassing on railroad property and give some
thought to the families, communities, railroad employees and all others
traumatized by this careless behavior,” said Amtrak Police Chief Neil Trugman.
“Please obey your state grade crossing and trespassing laws, too many lives
depend on it.”
During
“Operation Clear Track” police and sheriff’s officials will report to more than
1,500 railroad grade crossings throughout communities around the country during
a three-hour period to enforce state grade crossing and trespassing laws and to
issue citations and warnings to violators. Last year, this rail safety detail issued
more than 2,500 citations along with 4,313 written and verbal warnings, plus 34
arrests.
In
addition, law enforcement officials this year are expected to distribute more
than 350,000 pocket safety cards to motorists and pedestrians to teach the
public how to be safe around railroad tracks and crossings. According to OLI,
each year thousands of people are killed or injured in grade crossing and
trespassing incidents nationwide.
“Every
three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train,” said Operation
Lifesaver, Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “While we have made strides in
reducing deaths and injuries, the goal of Operation Clear Track and other Rail
Safety Week activities is raising awareness to save lives. Operation Clear
Track has been an important part of Rail Safety Week since it began in
2017.”
Operation
Lifesaver Canada officials will take part in “Operation Clear Track” for the
first time this year to help reduce the number of grade crossing and
trespassing incidents that occur in their country.
“We want to remind people that a split-second
decision to try to beat a train at a crossing, or to use tracks at a shortcut
or a recreational path, can have tragic consequences,” said Sarah Mayes,
National Director, Operation Lifesaver Canada. “We’re pleased that so many
Canadian law enforcement agencies are partnering with us, through ‘Operation
Clear Track,’ to reinforce that message this year.”
In
recognition of Rail Safety Week, Operation Lifesaver has initiated the STOP TRACK TRAGEDIES campaign, focusing on real-life railroad incidents.
This
collaborative national railroad safety initiative is one of several events
scheduled during Rail Safety Week, which is being conducted
from Sept. 22 – 28 in the United States and Sept. 23 – 29 in Canada . For more
information on railroad safety, visit oli.org and stayoffthetracks.org.