FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Sheehan California Operation Lifesaver, 530-832-0683, nsheehan.caol@sbcglobal.net
Jessica Puchala, Operation Lifesaver, Inc., 703-739-0308, news@oli.org
Kimberly Woods, Amtrak, 202-906-3860, MediaRelations@amtrak.com
Amtrak Police, Operation Lifesaver Mobilize Railroad Safety Operation in California
2nd Annual Law Enforcement Event Marks Rail Safety Week
Sacramento, California (September 25, 2018) – California Operation Lifesaver, the rail safety education organization, is participating in “Operation Clear Track,” the largest railroad safety law enforcement operation to date in the United States, involving more than 460 police or sheriff departments across the lower 48 states. The initiative is spearheaded by Amtrak and the national Operation Lifesaver, Inc. program during Rail Safety Week in the U.S. and Canada.
“No one should think it’s ok, even one time, to ignore grade crossing or trespassing laws on railroad property,” said Amtrak Police Chief Neil Trugman. “This safety detail will deliver that message to thousands of people in-person today to try and stop these tragic rail-related incidents that occur every day in someone’s home town.”
During “Operation Clear Track,” police will report to highway rail grade crossings in cities and counties throughout California where there have been a high number of incidents according to preliminary data by the Federal Railroad Administration. Once onsite, law enforcement officials will enforce California grade crossing and trespassing laws, writing citations and warnings to violators.
“Enforcement, education and engineering are our three best weapons against incidents involving trains,” said California Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Nancy Sheehan. “While we have made strides in reducing deaths and injuries since our inception 46 years ago, the goal of Operation Clear Track and other Rail Safety Week activities is to empower citizens to keep themselves safe near tracks and trains. This year’s Rail Safety Week theme is ‘Stop Track Tragedies,’ and Operation Clear Track is an important part of our efforts.”
In California over the past 5 years, 623 people were killed and 623 were injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents. California Operation Lifesaver is participating in “Operation Clear Track” and other Rail Safety Week events to reduce these incidents and empower the state’s residents to keep themselves safe near tracks and train.
Rail Safety Week is being observed in the U.S. and Canada from September 23 -29. For more information, visit http://www.oli.org/RSWeek.
About Operation Lifesaver – Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” provides the public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more about Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest Follow CAOL on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
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