CN, CPR mark Rail Safety Week

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway are taking great strides in safety precautions during Rail Safety Week from May 2 to May 8, 2011. With trespassing incidents and fatalities on the rise in the United States, CN is launching a public awareness campaign that stresses the deadly risks of trespassing on railroad tracks and property. CN Police are issuing a call to action with their "SEE IT? REPORT IT! You Could Save a Life" initiative, urging members of the public to call CN Police when they witness unsafe behavior on railroad property. "Disobeying railroad crossing signals or trespassing on railroad property is dangerous and illegal. We don't tolerate people who put their lives and the lives of others at risk. We are getting tougher about enforcing the law and are engaging the public in helping CN Police fight unsafe activity," said CN Police Chief Bobby Walker. "At CN, when it comes to safety, there is no compromise." CN Police will be out in full force during Rail Safety Week, conducting safety blitzes at commuter stations, CN intermodal terminals and railroad crossings in the United States and Canada. This year, CN is increasing its focus on commuter stations to target a larger audience of rail users, many of whom are parents who will be urged to pass on safety information to their children. In 2010, there were 2,837 grade crossing and railroad trespassing accidents across the United States, causing 712 fatalities and 1,192 serious injuries, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. During Rail Safety Week, CPR police service officers from Montreal to Vancouver will conduct more than 100 safety and enforcement blitzes in communities across Canada. "Canadian Pacific has an industry-leading safety record, and the safety of CPR employees and the communities where the company operates are top priorities," said Canadian Pacific Police Chief Ivan McClelland. "During Rail Safety Week, Canadian Pacific police service officers, in partnership with local and national police and public safety agencies, will be very visible, targeting risky behavior near the tracks." In 2010, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada recorded 180 crossing accidents, resulting in 24 fatalities and 28 serious injuries. Crossing fatalities increased 26 per cent across Canada last year. The TSB also recorded 81 trespasser incidents, resulting in 55 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. Trespasser fatalities increased five per cent over 2009. People trespassing on railway property or failing to yield the right-of-way to an approaching train at a crossing risk death or serious injury. Both actions are offences under the federal Rail Safety Act or applicable provincial legislation.