California Operation Lifesaver provides rail safety tips to raise awareness and reduce deaths and injuries near tracks and trains. Always make safe decisions near railroad tracks and share these tips with your loved ones.
- Always expect a train! Trains are quieter and faster than you think, can run on any track, at any time, from either direction and do not run on schedules.
- Trains can move in either direction at any time.
- Never walk on or beside railroad tracks; it’s illegal and dangerous
- The only safe place to cross tracks is at designated public crossings with a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate. Crossing anywhere else is illegal.
- Never try to beat a train! Never pass flashing lights or go around lowered gates. Always wait until lights have stopped flashing and gates are completely raised. Wait to cross until you can see clearly in both directions. Multiple tracks may mean multiple trains.
- Stay off railroad bridges and trestles. Stay out of railroad tunnels. There is ONLY ROOM for the train.
- Trains have the right of way 100% of the time over emergency vehicles, cars, the police and pedestrians.
- A train can extend three feet or more beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three foot mark.
- Never take photos or videos on tracks. It is dangerous and illegal. An optical illusion makes it hard to determine a train’s distance from you – and its speed. Trains can’t stop quickly. By the time an engineer sees a person or a vehicle on the tracks, it may be too late to stop the train.
- Stay alert around railroad tracks, Avoid Distractions. No texting, No headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train.
For More Rail Safety Tips: https://oli.org/safety-near-trains/track-safety-basics