The Brantford Police Service is proud to be joining forces with law enforcement agencies across North America today for “Operation Clear Track,” the single largest rail-safety law-enforcement initiative in North America.
Coordinated by Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver Inc. and Operation Lifesaver Canada, Operation Clear Track aims to reduce railway crossing and trespassing incidents in Canada and the U.S. — incidents which seriously injure or kill more than 2,100 people each year. The event is held annually during Rail Safety Week (September 18-24, 2023).
“This Rail Safety Week we remind the public to always treat rail crossings throughout the city and region with extreme caution and respect. Passenger and freight trains travel at a high rate of speed and do not have the ability to stop quickly. Please obey all rail crossing indicators for your safety and the safety of others,” said Robin Matthews-Osmond, Corporate Communications Manager, Brantford Police Service.
“Ignoring railway signs and signals, being distracted at rail stations or crossings, or using tracks as a shortcut or a recreational path can have tragic consequences,” said Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. “Operation Clear Track’s goal is to encourage people to think twice before engaging in unsafe behaviours, and to learn how to keep themselves safe around tracks and trains.”
Hundreds of police and sheriff departments across North America have signed up for Operation Clear Track this year; they’ll be promoting rail safety by enforcing rail crossing and trespassing laws, distributing rail-safety tip sheets to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, sharing Operation Lifesaver’s #STOPTrackTragedies videos and social media messages, and by posting rail-safety content to their department websites.
