Caltrain proclaims September Rail Safety Month

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

To highlight the importance of safety around trains, the Caltrain Board adopted a proclamation for Railroad Safety Month.

 

This year, Caltrain will be partnering with Safe Routes to Schools San Mateo County to bring rail safety awareness to students in grades K-eight. Safe Routes to Schools primarily focuses on students walking and biking to school, but the partnership will allow Caltrain to incorporate rail safety tips into the messaging.

“The San Mateo County Office of Education is excited to collaborate with Caltrain during Rail Safety Month and throughout the school year,” said Jeneé Littrell, director of Safe and Supportive Schools for the San Mateo County of Education, who accepted the proclamation on behalf of Safe Routes to Schools San Mateo County. “Through our Safe Routes to Schools program, San Mateo County Office of Education works to encourage and enable school children to walk and bicycle to school, and rail safety is an important part of those goals.”

The rail agency addresses safety through an ongoing program that focuses on the “Three E’s” of railroad safety – Education, Engineering and Enforcement. As an active member of Operation Lifesaver, Caltrain offers a free education program for schools, community organizations and businesses on the Peninsula highlighting safe practices to keep in mind when near the tracks.

As a partner with California Operation Lifesaver, Caltrain will be participating in a rail safety blitz in San Jose focused on enforcement of trespassing on the right-of-way. The safety blitz is in coordination with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Amtrak, Union Pacific and other local police jurisdictions. Caltrain’s Transit Police Unit will participate and provide recommendations for hot spot locations. Two rail safety blitzes are tentatively scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 7.

While safety is a clear priority for the rail agency, 90 percent of the deaths occurring on the tracks are ruled suicides. Caltrain also coordinates with regional mental health and suicide prevention & awareness organizations to help eliminate the stigma associated with seeking help for depression or mental illness.

Caltrain also will be recognizing National Suicide Prevention Week as part of this effort (Sept. 7 – 13) by participating in an event with the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee with which Caltrain is a community partner.

The committee will be hosting the Speak Up, Save a Life: Suicide Prevention Forum. It will be held on Sept. 25, inside the San Mateo Main Library’s Oak Room. A member of the Transit Police will participate on the panel to talk about crisis intervention on the railroad tracks and Caltrain will have a table set-up to provide rail safety information for attendees.
Caltrain says its commitment to safety extends far beyond September, with a year-round, day-in, day-out emphasis on safety around trains and train tracks.

Caltrain has several staff members that are Operation Lifesaver authorized volunteers who offer free rail safety presentations for people of all age groups, especially students. These presentations teach individuals how to stay safe while around the rail system and gain a better understanding of the behaviors that avoid hazards. The presentations use engaging videos and other materials to actively involve audiences in rail safety.

 

 

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