Railroad spreads safety campaign to East Tenn.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The giant pink brain that Norfolk Southern Railway is sending to college sporting events and state fairs is a hoot. The message, though, is deadly serious -Train Your Brain.
The safety campaign is being spread to East Tennessee because of an increase in train-related fatalities in the region.
Railroad spokeswoman Susan Terpay said dangerous distractions and sometimes risky behavior by people in the 18-35 age group shape the message. And the messages are startling. One billboard show legs sticking out from under a morgue sheet with the legend, “”I raced a train and all I got was this lousy toe tag.”
Terpay said crossing accidents have declined, but the number of deaths involving people walking on railroad tracks or being on equipment has increased.
