Education efforts run across North America from Sept. 23-29
CALGARY,
AB, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific
Kansas City (CPKC) this week joins Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL),
Operation Inc. in the U.S. (OLI) and the Mexican Association of
Railroads (AMF) to raise rail safety awareness in communities
across North America. Rail Safety
Week, or See Tracks? Think Train® Week as it's known in
the United States, runs from
Sept. 23 to 29.
Throughout the week, CPKC Police Service officers in
Canada and the United States will be out in schools,
neighborhoods and communities across CPKC's network conducting rail
safety presentations to warn about the dangers of unsafe behaviour
around trains and tracks. In Mexico, CPKC de México representatives will
help spread the safety message #VesVíasPiensaEnTren
(#SeeTracksThinkTrain) in collaboration with AMF by educating
students, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians about staying safe at
railway crossings and near tracks.
"A rail incident can have devastating, long-lasting effects on
families, friends, communities, train crews and first responders,"
said Dale Ruzycki, CPKC Chief of
Police Canada. "During Rail Safety week, and all year round, we
work to encourage children and adults to always act safely around
tracks and trains so that everyone goes home safely."
Highlighting the importance of the awareness week, Kelly Clough, CPKC Chief of Police U.S., said,
"See Tracks? Think Train® Week is an opportunity to work together
with other railroads, governments, local law enforcement and
communities to promote public safety around railroad crossings and
tracks. One incident is one too many. We must remain vigilant with
ourselves, our family and friends to help stop track
tragedies."
CPKC will be participating in Operation Clear Track in
Canada which includes the
unveiling of "Look. Listen. Live." rail decals at four railway
crossings across CPKC's network in Canada. In conjunction with OLI, CPKC will be
promoting #STOPTrackTragedies in the U.S.
"Safety is job one for all railroaders - the dedicated women and
men of CPKC are proof positive of that," says Chris Day, Interim National Director, Operation
Lifesaver Canada. "Over recent months, we have seen a spike in
serious injuries and fatalities related to trespassing and crossing
incidents across Canada. Each
track tragedy is a reminder that rail safety is a shared
responsibility. Everyone has a role to play in 'getting to zero' -
a critically important message this Rail Safety Week and
year-round."
According to OLI, every year approximately 2,100 North Americans
are seriously hurt or killed because of unsafe behaviour around
railway tracks and trains.
"See Tracks? Think Train® Week concentrates rail safety
awareness and education activities across North America in an impactful seven-day
campaign. With more than 140,000 miles of track across the U.S. and
200,000 places where roadways cross the tracks, making safe choices
around railroad tracks and trains is critical," said Rachel Maleh, Executive Director of Operation
Lifesaver, Inc. "We appreciate CPKC's dedication to Operation
Lifesaver, Inc.'s mission and their unwavering commitment to rail
safety. Everyone can help make their communities safer. Know the
facts, recognize the signs and always make good decisions around
railroad tracks and trains. Together, we can
#STOPTrackTragedies."
Follow CPKC's rail safety outreach activities on Facebook,
Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
Visit OL and OLI to learn more about rail safety and how to
become a rail safety ambassador.
About CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary,
Alta., Canada, CPKC is the
first and only single-line transnational railway linking
Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled
access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to
Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route
miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North
American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to
key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its
customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services,
logistics solutions and supply chain expertise.
Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages
of CPKC.
About Operation Lifesaver Canada
Operation Lifesaver
Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by
Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CPKC,
VIA Rail, Metrolinx, Exo, West Coast Express and Genesee &
Wyoming, among others. Through its
national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with
safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community
groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look.
Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to
save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of trespassing
on railway property and failing to exercise caution at rail
crossings. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety
news by visiting operation lifesaver.ca.
About Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI)
Operation
Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a
national #RailSafetyEducation nonprofit dedicated to
stopping track tragedies through public awareness and education
campaigns as well as a national volunteer network
that gives free presentations encouraging safe behavior near
tracks and trains. OLI supports the efforts of 47 state programs
and the District of Columbia in
sharing the rail safety education message. Explore OLI's virtual
library of rail safety materials on the oli.org website. Visit
oli.org to learn more, take a rail safety pledge, request free
presentations and volunteer. Follow OLI on social media
via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X and YouTube.
About Mexican Association of Railroads
The AMF's main
purpose is to promote rail freight transportation, increasing its
contribution to the competitiveness of the Mexican
economy. For this purpose and with the representation of its
members, the AMF collaborates with the authorities of the executive
and legislative branches to promote that the regulation of the
railway service promotes it effectively and that it contributes to
the competitiveness of the Mexican economy, in terms of safety and
healthy coexistence with the communities through which we travel.
Additionally, the Association collaborates with other modes of
transportation with the purpose of achieving an effective
intermodal scheme. Also, we coordinate with other Chambers and
User Associations, advancing an agenda that identifies areas of
opportunity and joint solutions.
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SOURCE CPKC