Every year at the end of September, Operation Lifesaver raises awareness about rail safety during Rail Safety Week. For more than five years, Spruce has been working with Operation Lifesaver to make sure that people know that trespassing, playing around and hopping on trains, as well as failing to follow rail signals, is dangerous—often deadly. With rail incidents increasing, this information matters more than ever.
The number of Canadians who get seriously hurt or killed in railway crossing and trespassing incidents normally averages about 100 per year. This year, that number averaged 10 per month, which as Operation Lifesaver notes is 33% above the 5-year historical average. This change has been fueled by an increase in both rail crossing accidents—when people don’t follow railway warning signs on the road—and trespassing incidents—such as taking photos on railway tracks, or using tracks as shortcuts, bike paths, and places to hang out.
Rail incidents don’t just affect the people who are hurt or killed: they have a big impact on their families and friends, train conductors, first responders, bystanders and communities. There is no way to undo the harm they cause, a realization that led us to develop the theme of this year’s campaign.
Working with Operation Lifesaver, we’ve heard first-hand about the impacts of rail incidents. We’ve learned that trains move faster and more quietly than you expect. We’ve seen how one second and one decision can change a life. And we know that we can all do better and get rail incidents down to zero by following the signs and signals around railways. When it comes down to you and a train, the train is always the winner and the damage can’t be undone.
Follow Operation Lifesaver to learn more about rail safety. Share their campaigns and resources with your friends and family. Find out what they are doing in your community, and how you can help bring them into yours.
