Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Mobilize Operation Clear Track, Increasing Public Awareness about Safety Near Railroad Tracks and Crossings
September 24 2024 - 8:47AM
Today, the Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver
Inc. (OLI), the national rail safety education nonprofit, are
joining hundreds of law enforcement officers and other first
responders nationwide for
Operation Clear Track, to raise
awareness and enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws
across the U.S. This annual event takes place in the U.S. during
See Tracks? Think Train® Week,
Sept. 23-29, observed as Rail
Safety Week in Canada and Mexico.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, trespassing
along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related
deaths in America, followed by railroad crossing incidents. In
2023, more than 2,300 people across the U.S. were injured or killed
in railroad crossing collisions or trespassing incidents.
During Operation Clear Track, first responders will be stationed
at targeted railroad grade crossings and other locations sharing
the rail safety message with their community. A map of Operation
Clear Track locations shows the location of in-person events across
the U.S.
Amtrak Chief of Police D. Samuel Dotson said, "Operation
Clear Track helps us engage with communities and reinforce the
importance of safety around railroad tracks and crossings.
Trespassing on tracks is not only dangerous, but also illegal. By
reminding everyone to respect railroad crossings, while alerting
them to the dangers of trespassing, we can collectively work to
reduce tragic accidents and ensure the safety of our families and
communities."
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Executive Director Rachel Maleh
said, “At Operation Lifesaver, Inc., we work every day to educate
people on how to make safe choices around railroad tracks and
trains. We are grateful to Amtrak and first responders nationwide
for their partnership and support of Operation Clear Track and See
Tracks? Think Train® Week. Whether driving or on foot, whenever you
see tracks, always be aware that a train may be approaching – and
always follow all railroad signs and signals. Together, we can stop
track tragedies.”
Amtrak VP Operational Safety, Justin Meko said, "As an
industry, we must come together as one to drive public outreach and
education efforts. Grade crossing accidents are preventable when
people abide by federal, state and local laws and don't take
unnecessary risks.”
State Operation Lifesaver programs partner with first responders
across the U.S. during Operation Clear Track, working to reduce
these incidents and empower individuals to keep themselves safe
near tracks and trains. This collaborative railroad safety
initiative is one of several events scheduled during See Tracks?
Think Train® Week.
For more information on railroad safety,
visit oli.org and stayoffthetracks.org.
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About Operation LifesaverOperation 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, Twitter/X and YouTube.
About Amtrak®For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected
America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe,
environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations
across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers
with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check
train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app.
Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us
on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
- You Can Stop Track Tragedies
- Always Stay Alert
Jennifer DeAngelis
Operation Lifesaver
202-815-4340
jdeangelis@oli.org