Media Contact: (360) 664-1116 or media@utc.wa.gov
LACEY, Wash. - With over 2,100 incidents each year, rail-related fatalities and serious injuries are a major issue in North America. To help resolve this issue, Operation Lifesaver (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada, the Mexican Association of Railroads, and Washington Operation Lifesaver (WAOL) are working together to promote Rail Safety Week from Sept. 18-24.
The Rail Safety Week campaign is committed to saving lives and preventing these incidents from occurring. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee supports these efforts and has issued an official proclamation to raise awareness and stop track tragedies.
During Rail Safety Week, anyone can join the virtual event by sharing videos and social media messages featuring personal stories of those affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents. Use the hashtags #STOPTrackTragedies and #railsafetyweek to educate our communities and ultimately reduce the number of rail-related fatalities and serious injuries.
Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit 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.
The UTC regulates railroad safety, including approving new rail crossings and closing or altering existing crossings, investigating train accidents, inspecting railroad crossings, endorsing safety projects, and promoting rail safety education through Washington Operation Lifesaver.
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