MEDIA ADVISORY: Operation Lifesaver to Unveil Video PSA on International Crossing Awareness Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2015
CONTACT: Libby Rector Snipe/Carol Steckbeck, news@oli.org or 919-303-5343
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 3rd is International Level Crossing Awareness Day
Operation Lifesaver Unveils New Video Public Service Announcement to Save Lives Around Railroad Tracks
LIVE Satellite Interviews Available on Wednesday, June 3rd from 6am – Noon ET
Interview panelists:
- Joyce Rose, President of Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
- Dr. Lanny Wilson, Parent of Crossing Incident Victim
- Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Federal Railroad Administration
- Acting Administrator Gregory Nadeau, Federal Highway Administration
- Acting Administrator Therese McMillan, Federal Transit Administration
Preliminary statistics show there were 2,285 railroad crossing collisions in 2014 in the United States, up 8.9% from 2,098 in 2013. You are 20 times more likely to die in a collision with a train than with another vehicle, and the intersections where tracks meet the road can be extremely dangerous if drivers fail to follow basic safety measures.
That's why, in observance of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD), Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration have partnered together to promote a national safety awareness campaign, “See Tracks, Think Train!” A total of 43 countries worldwide participate in ILCAD, an international day of public awareness and outreach about safety at railroad crossings, which is being celebrated this year on June 3rd.
The new video public service announcement, part of the “See Tracks, Think Train!” safety campaign from Operation Lifesaver, Inc., (OLI), is aimed at educating drivers about safe behavior around railroad crossings . For example, drivers may forget that a train cannot steer to avoid a collision, and are unaware that it can take more than a mile for a fully loaded train to come to a complete stop even in an emergency. More than half of all collisions occur at railroad crossings equipped with active warning devices such as flashing lights and gates. In addition to the tragedies for the victims and families involved, collisions on train tracks can injure train crews and passengers.
Operation Lifesaver’s national campaign is funded with help from railroads and federal agencies, including the Association of American Railroads, the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. OLI’s public safety campaign urges Americans to recognize and obey traffic signs and signals around railroad tracks.
For more information, visit www.oli.org and seetracksthinktrain.org.
Joyce Rose, Dr. Lanny Wilson, and (Acting) Administrators from FRA, FHWA and FTA are available from 6:00 am – Noon ET to discuss:
- The new PSA Campaign: What is the goal of the new campaign?
- FRA Data: Where does your state rank with vehicle injuries and deaths?
- Local Resources: How to find safety information and resources near you, as well as local events during International Level Crossing Awareness Day.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver's mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety. Learn more at http://www.oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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