Metra plans safety blitzes for 2017

Written by Maggie Lancaster, assistant editor
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Metra announced that it will conduct Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at 51 train stations in 2017 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.

 

During the blitzes, Metra safety employees will be at one of the commuter railroad’s 241 stations during the morning commute. They will distribute educational materials about train and grade crossing safety, answer questions and listen to commuters’ safety concerns. A short safety video will also be available for customers to watch. Local police and fire officials are invited to participate.

Illinois has the second-largest rail system in the nation with more than 7,300 miles of track and 10,363 public grade crossings. In 2015, Illinois ranked second in the nation in rail fatalities at grade crossings and third in the nation for collisions at rail crossings. Last year, 44 people were killed and 60 more were injured in railroad incidents in Illinois. Twenty-two of these reported fatalities occurred at rail crossings.

To help promote rail safety awareness and eliminate preventable injuries and deaths, Metra develops an annual schedule of safety blitzes throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The complete 2017 safety blitz schedule can be found here.

Metra police will conduct additional enforcement blitzes at locations throughout the region where citations and warnings are issued to pedestrians and drivers who ignore gates and warning devices.

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