September 19 – 25 is Rail Safety Week

The City of Yorkton is joining CN Police Service (CNPS) in educating our community about rail safety during Rail Safety Week, September 19 - 25. This week is dedicated to increasing awareness about staying safe around railway crossings and tracks. 

“As part of CNs efforts, it is all about raising awareness about the potentially devastating consequences of trespassing on railroad tracks and disregarding rail safety signs and signals at highway-rail grade crossings,” says Mayor Mitch Hippsley.

“Education saves lives. We have always seen railroad tracks all around us and unfortunately become complacent and sometimes unaware of their reality,” says Hippsley. Rail Safety Week is all about awareness and education. Repetition is key.” 

Each time you cross a railroad track irresponsibly there is a potential danger. CNs ultimate goal is to bring railroad crossing/trespassing accidents down to zero. By joining efforts, we can prevent railroad crossing/trespassing accidents.

“Safety starts at home. We all have a role in public safety and knowing this role and what we can do to keep ourselves and our communities safe is paramount,” says Henry Neumiller, CN Police Services. Please take the time to understand how you can keep yourself safe when you are near the railway.”

Rail Safety by the Numbers

• There are approximately 40,000 railway crossings in Canada.
• There are almost 45,000 km of active railway tracks from coast to coast.
• Every year, more than 100 Canadians are seriously injured or killed as the result of railway crossing or trespassing incidents. Almost every one of these incidents is preventable.
• Stop behind any gates or stop lines — or no closer than 5 metres from the nearest rail — and wait for the train to pass. Cross only after the warning signals have stopped and you are certain no other trains are approaching, from either direction, on any track.

Rail Safety Tips

• Speed misperception - Because of their size, trains appear to be much farther away and travelling much slower than their actual speed. Don’t be fooled!
• Trains can’t stop quickly - The average train needs at least 2 km to stop. Trains can stop, but they can’t stop quickly!
• Trespassing - Taking a shortcut across the tracks or being on railway property is illegal, and trespassers can be seriously injured or killed.
• Weight ratio - An average freight train weighs over 5,500 tonnes. Compare that to a car, which weighs about 1.5 tonnes. A train hitting a car is like a car hitting a pop can.
• Railway cars - Stopped railway cars can move at any time. If you’re on one or near one when it moves, you could lose a limb—or worse, your life.
• Tunnels and bridges - Tunnels, bridges, and trestles are designed only for trains. Trespassers can be seriously injured or killed.
• Overhang - Trains can carry loads that are wider than the railroad cars themselves. They can have chains, straps or other equipment that may extend outside the car. If you are standing too close, you could get hit.
• Any time is train time - Trains do not always run on schedule. They can run at any time, on any track and come from either direction.

For more information, visit www.cn.ca/railsafety.