NS joins Operation Lifesaver for safety tour across the Carolinas

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern brings its Whistle-Stop Safety Train to the Carolinas this week to remind motorists and pedestrians to be safe and alert when around railroad tracks and trains.

 

The train, operated by Norfolk Southern with Operation Lifesaver is stopping in eight cities on a three-day, 390-mile trip from Charleston, S.C., to Asheville, N.C.

“Pedestrians and drivers often do not realize how dangerous it is to walk on or near railroad tracks, or that it can take a mile or more for a train to come to a complete stop,” said Cayela Wimberly, Norfolk Southern director of grade crossing safety. “Our goal is to share information that will stop people from risking their lives by trying to beat a train to the crossing or using railroad tracks as a shortcut.”

Across the U.S. last year, 267 people died in grade-crossing incidents, an increase of 16 percent compared with 2013 and deaths due to trespassing on train tracks jumped 22 percent to 526, according to Federal Railroad Administration statistics.

In South Carolina, vehicle-train collisions resulted in three fatalities and 22 injuries during 2014 and in North Carolina five people died and 27 were injured. Trespassing on or near railroad tracks resulted in five deaths and eight injuries in South Carolina last year and in North Carolina 20 people died and 11 were injured.

“The use of cell phones, texting, and listening to music while driving has contributed to people being distracted from the roadway and the warning signs alerting them to railroad tracks,” said Janice Cowen, Operation Lifesaver South Carolina state coordinator. “People do not realize that it is criminal trespassing to walk on or near railroad tracks. Not only is it against the law, you could lose your life.”

The safety train includes two restored Pullman passenger rail cars with television monitors showing a live video feed from a camera mounted on the lead locomotive. Passengers see firsthand what engineers see every day from the locomotive cab. The train also includes the Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car, which showcases the benefits of rail freight transportation.

Aboard the safety train, riders are hearing firsthand about the dangers of trespassing on railroad property from Mark Kalina Jr., who survived a 2012 pedestrian-train incident in Ohio and is now a double amputee.

South Carolina Highway Patrol officers are shadowing the train as it moves through the state, arresting violators at railroad crossings or walking along tracks.

Norfolk Southern also plans to run a safety train across Ohio Aug. 4-6. The 354-mile trip will start in Cincinnati and make whistle-stops in Dayton, Columbus, Bellevue, Cleveland and Alliance.

 

 

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