Statement on International Crossing Awareness Day by Operation Lifesaver Inc. President Joyce Rose
May 7, 2013 Event Observed in 45 Countries Worldwide
“As Operation Lifesaver USA (OLI) joins countries around the world in celebrating the fifth annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day today, we take pride in the efforts that have contributed to a continued reduction in U.S. crossing incidents. While vehicle-train collisions and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings were lower across the U.S. in 2012, crossing-related fatalities were flat and rail trespass deaths and injuries rose from 2011. In the face of growing demand for public transit, passenger and freight rail services, our mission of rail safety education is more relevant than ever.
Operation Lifesaver state program leaders and safety partners from the railroad industry, state government agencies, local law enforcement, communities and other groups are participating in activities this week across the U.S. in conjunction with ILCAD. Events include crossing safety community activities, state proclamations, special trains, commuter rail station activities, positive enforcement exercises, outreach to professional truck drivers, school safety presentations, special training events, media interviews, news releases and social media activities.
We are grateful to our safety partners and volunteers for their assistance with these important community activities.”
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View and download the 2013 list of U.S. events for ILCAD (PDF format)
About Operation Lifesaver - Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a national, non-profit safety education group whose goal is to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights of way. Operation Lifesaver has programs in all 50 states, with trained volunteers who provide free safety talks to community groups, school bus drivers, truck drivers and student drivers to raise awareness of the dangers around railroad tracks and trains. For more information, or to request a free safety presentation, visit www.oli.org, or follow OLI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/operation.lifesaver, Twitter: @olinational, and Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/olinational/.
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