Railway Association of Canada welcomes Rail Safety Week 2016
During Rail Safety Week (April 25 – May 1), the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) would like to urge Canadians to exercise caution around rail crossings and remember that trespassing on or near railway property is not only illegal, it is also extremely dangerous.
“Crossing and trespassing accidents hurt citizens, railway employees, communities and the environment,” said Michael Bourque, RAC’s President and CEO. “A lot has been done to reduce unnecessary injury or death around railway property – but much work remains. Rail Safety Week is a terrific platform to reinforce the message that preventing these types of accidents is a year-round, shared responsibility.”
Rail Safety Week is hosted by Operation Lifesaver, an organization sponsored by Canada’s railway industry and Transport Canada, which works to teach Canadians about crossing and trespassing safety under the theme: “See Tracks? Think!” Throughout the week, Operation Lifesaver and its partners – including railways, police officers and a network of volunteers – will distribute safety materials at railway stations and crossings, and host hundreds of events including presentations in schools and mock collisions.
“For the last 35 years Operation Lifesaver has been dedicated to preventing as many crossing and trespassing incidents as possible by raising awareness of rail safety among Canadians,” said Mike Regimbal, Operation Lifesaver Canada’s National Director. “The support and involvement of communities, rail operators and governments over those years has resulted in lives saved and injuries prevented, with the past year being our best on record. Yet, for all there is to celebrate, we must also remember that there is still more to be done, because every injury or death is entirely preventable.”
Every year, 100 Canadians die or suffer serious injuries as a result of motor-vehicle collisions at railway crossings or trespassing on railway property. According to Transportation Safety Board (TSB) data, these types of accidents account for more than 85 per cent of rail-related deaths and serious injuries in Canada.
Learn more about Rail Safety Week by connecting with Operation Lifesaver on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and by following the hashtags #RSW2016 and #SeeTracksThink.
Click here for a calendar of events taking place across Canada throughout Rail Safety Week.
Rail safety resources – including photos, posters, tip sheets and more – are available on the Rail Safety Week 2016 website.
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For more information and media interviews, please contact:
Alex Paterson
Public Affairs Coordinator
Railway Association of Canada
613-564-8111
apaterson09@railcan.ca
Mike Regimbal
National Director
Operation Lifesaver
613-564-8100
miker@railcan.ca
About the Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move 75 million people and more than $280 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. As the voice of Canada’s railway industry, RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable, and most importantly, safe. Learn more at railcandev.wpengine.com. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Operation Lifesaver
Established in Canada in 1981, Operation Lifesaver is a national public-rail safety program sponsored by Transport Canada and RAC. Through partnerships with provincial safety councils, police, railways, the trucking industry and community groups, Operation Lifesaver is dedicated to saving lives by educating Canadians about the hazards surrounding highway/railway crossings and trespassing on railway property.