California Operation Lifesaver’s Rail Safety Awareness Program incorporates a variety of educational messages for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Messages that increase awareness about making safe decisions near tracks and trains.
While our primary focus is to promote Rail Safety Education, we also support and encourage the important three E’s of rail safety that include Engineering and Enforcement.
Education
Providing Rail Safety Education and raising rail safety awareness is fundamental to everything we do. We offer free in-person and virtual educational presentations, participate in rail safety events, and more.
Rail Safety Education is a powerful key that can open doors of knowledge and awareness. Increased awareness equals increased safety, both behind the wheel and on foot. This education can help us grow rail safe communities whose citizens choose safe decisions near tracks and trains and save lives.
Engineering
Engineering technologies have improved the safety of our railroad crossings and are a critical component of reducing the risk of collisions. CAOL supports and encourages research and innovation, modern engineering, and the development of new and effective ways to make grade crossings safe and lessen the risk of tragic incidents.
There are passive and active signs and traffic control devices that regulate, warn and guide drivers at highway-rail grade crossings. Learn more by clicking the button below.
Enforcement
CAOL values our partnerships with our law enforcement and our first responders. The laws that govern our state’s railways are in place to keep people safe at designated crossings, and away from private railroad property. We support the enforcement of these laws. When highway-rail intersection collisions occur it is crucial law enforcement is familiar with highway-rail grade crossing safety and railroad operations. We encourage First Responders to go through the Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (Risc) that prepares officers to use the proper safety techniques while investigating a grade crossing collision or trespasser incident, in addition to maintaining on-scene safety unique to the railroad environment.