CN, CP mark Rail Safety Week Canada

Written by jrood

With trespassing being the leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the United States, Canadian National is marking Rail Safety Week through May 6, 2012, with a public awareness campaign stressing the deadly risks of trespassing on railway tracks and property. CN police are urging the public to call CN Police at 1- 800-465-9239 to report unsafe behavior on railway property.

CN Police will be out in full force during Rail Safety Week, conducting safety initiatives at commuter stations, CN intermodal terminals and railway crossings in the United States and Canada. CN will visit commuter stations to target a larger audience of rail users, particularly parents who will be urged to pass on safety information to their children.

In 2011, there were 2,736 grade crossing and railway trespassing accidents in the United States, causing 692 fatalities, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. More than 55 percent of trespassing incidents resulted in fatalities.

CN police are rolling out a year-round initiative to reduce trespassing incidents, fatalities and injuries. CN police will intensify their outreach to young people, who are more prone to risk-taking behavior. In addition, CN police across the system will work to identify the highest risk areas for trespassing and develop targeted strategies to reduce incidents.

Canadian Pacific Police Service will also be reminding the public about the importance of rail safety by taking their message to the streets in the communities where it operates.

CPPS officers across the country will be conducting more than 100 education and enforcement activities. In conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, a partnership program with Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada, this year’s Rail Safety Week focus is to educate people on situation awareness and distractions and the seriousness of trespassing on railway property.

“Canadian Pacific has an industry-leading safety record and the safety of CP employees and the communities where the company operates are our top priorities,” said Canadian Pacific Police Chief Ivan McClelland. “Stay Alert, Stay Alive is the message our officers will be taking to the public in light of the number of unfortunate trespasser fatalities on railway properties in the early stages of 2012. We want people to understand the devastating impact this has on the families, railway employees and their communities.”

CPPS officers typically promote public safety through trespasser abatement patrols, enforcement of traffic legislation at railway crossings and participation in education activities to raise awareness of community safety issues. The CPPS also help to protect the critical infrastructure of Canada and the U.S. by ensuring supply chain security and ensuring the operational efficiency of the transportation network.

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