Press release:
Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization begun in 1972, established Rail Safety Week to help educate the public about these preventable incidents.
In an historic first for international safety cooperation, Rail Safety Week will be celebrated throughout North America.
Three national organizations, Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada,and Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles (Mexican Association of Railroads, or AMF) will jointly observe Rail Safety Week, Sept. 21-27.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rail Safety Week activities devoted to saving lives near railroad tracks will have an emphasis on social medial and online safety messaging.
In 2019, 645 police departments, sheriff’s offices -- including Genesee County, and other laws enforcement agencies participated in Rail Safety Week events by sending officers to railroad crossings to join railroad employees and Operation Lifesaver volunteers in handing out safety literature. Nearly 100 Rail Safety Week events occurred throughout New York in 2019.
Though far fewer public events are occurring this year due to pandemic concerns, New York Operation Lifesaver will host an online public awareness campaign designed to increase public awareness of train safety.
“We want to show that making unsafe decisions around tracks and trains – whether using tracks as a shortcut, going around downed gates or even glancing at a cellphone while at a crossing – can have devastating consequences for you, your loved ones and members of your community,” said Phil Merens, state coordinator of New York Operation Lifesaver.
“While public events with police officials and railroad employees, and Operation Lifesaver volunteers are a great way to show New Yorkers our concern for their safety, our online campaign has the potential to reach even more people than we reached last year.”
New York Operation Lifesaver currently runs three statewide education campaigns devoted to different aspects of train safety. These campaigns have already reached millions of New Yorkers. Throughout Rail Safety Week posts to social media as well as paid advertising will continue to highlight these safety campaigns
“Last year’s Rail Safety Week efforts generated over 1,800 stories on TV, radio, print and online, along with nearly 75 million impressions on social media,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “Even with coronavirus restrictions, we are confident that millions of people will be reached through our online efforts this year.
"New York Operation Lifesaver will be highlighting their innovative education campaigns addressing Trespass Safety, At-Grade Crossing Safety and the Emergency Notification System. These campaigns have already reached millions of New Yorkers through the use of cutting-edge technology.”
Information on this year’s RSW as well as results for last year can be found here. Rail Safety Week. Themes for each day of Rail Safety Week are shown below:
- Monday, Sept. 21 kicks off the week with a focus on Media Outreach and Rail Safety Week Proclamations in states and localities.
- Tuesday, Sept. 22 focuses on Law Enforcement and First Responder Partnerships through virtual and social media messaging as part of the fourth annual observance of Operation Clear Track, emphasizing the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23 highlights Crossing Safety, with outreach to professional drivers on safe crossing techniques and highlighting blue and white emergency notification system (ENS) signs at crossings.
- Thursday, Sept. 24, Transit Safety Thursday, showcases how to stay safe as a rail commuter or transit rider.
- Friday, Sept. 25 focuses on Wearing Red or “Red Out” for Rail Safety to show support for safety near tracks and trains.
- Saturday, Sept. 26 highlights Trespass Prevention, educating pedestrians about the dangers posed by being on or near the tracks.
- Sunday, Sept. 27 promotes No Photos on Tracks messaging underscoring the risks of illegally taking photos, videos, or filming on train tracks for professional and amateur photographers alike.
Visitors to oli.org will be asked to join the virtual Rail Safety Week effort by sharing the Stop Track Tragedies videos and social media messaging using the hashtags #STOPTrackTragedies and #railsafetyweek.
