Officials highlight railroad safety, aim to save lives for ‘See tracks? Think Train Week’
JACKSON, Tenn. — See Tracks? Think Train Week has officially begun across the country.
Law enforcement and first responders nationwide are joining Operation Lifesaver’s efforts to educate communities and prevent rail-related incidents.
“See Tracks? Think Train Safety Week. It’s formerly Rail Safety Week. From September the 15th to September the 21st we’re trying to focus on education to let folks think about the dangers of railway safety,” said THP Sergeant Charles Childers.
According to Operation Lifesaver, more than 2,300 people are injured or killed annually in railroad crossings incidents in the U.S.
With more than 60% of collisions occurring at crossings equipped with lights or gates. Sgt. Childers tell us some of the most common mistakes drivers make.
“Not paying full time an attention to the track. Of course, we’ve seen where you’ve been sitting in traffic and you probably haven’t cleared the track all the way. So, if you were stopped in traffic a portion of your vehicle may still be on the tracks. The other thing would be blind spots or maybe even interfered with a passenger. You’re just not really paying attention. Whether that be something on the inside and out outside of the car that could potentially be a hindrance to you observing the train or seeing the warning signals and signs like you see right here behind me,” said Sgt. Childers.
Every three hours a vehicle or train is struck here in the U.S., experts say that these tragedies are preventable. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a car, on foot, or on a bike it’s important to stay alert around the train tracks.
“We’re trying to push out as much education as we can to help bring those numbers down because those are lives, those are places at the dinner table, those are places that those people will be sorely missed,” said Sgt. Childers.
Authorities reminds us to obey all signals and signs, never try to beat a train, and remember trains can’t stop quickly, but you can.
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