TPU and Tacoma Rail, along with Operation Lifesaver, Inc., celebrate Rail Safety Week September 21 to 27. The goal of Rail Safety Week is to encourage drivers and pedestrians to practice safe behavior near railroad tracks and highlight the need for rail safety education.
The number of rail crossing collisions and injuries has dropped over the past five decades. However, it’s still alarming that every three hours, a person or vehicle in the United States is hit by a train. Operation Lifesaver works to prevent these incidents and encourages drivers and pedestrians to practice safe behavior near railroad tracks.
Practice these basics rules for track safety to stay safe in and around grade crossings.
Track Safety Basics
- Look twice: Look both ways and listen before crossing the tracks. Expect a train at any time and from either direction.
- Stay alert: Avoid dangerous distractions such as texting, loud music or headphones that prevent you from hearing an approaching train.
- Stay off the tracks: Train tracks, bridges and yards are private property. Never walk, bike, skateboard or run on or along the tracks; it’s illegal and dangerous.
- Cross at designated rail crossings: Obey all warning signs and signals posted in the area.
- Just wait: Approaching trains are always closer and moving faster than they appear. Always yield the right-of-way to a train.
Helping keep our communities safe by spreading awareness of rail safety is incredibly important to us. Together, we can save lives at railroad crossings and on train tracks.
More information about Rail Safety Week and Operation Lifesaver is available here.