Rail Safety Week April 25th to May 1st, 2016

From April 25th to May 1st, CN will again this year join forces with Operation Lifesaver to promote public rail safety to communities throughout Canada.    We encourage everyone to think safety not just during the official "Rail Safety Week", but every week.

Here are 8 Rail Safety tips that could save your life....

1. Speed Misperception – Because of their size, trains appear to be much further away and travelling much slower than their actual speed.  Don’t be fooled!
2. Trains Can’t Stop Quickly – Trains can sometimes travel rapidly.  The average train needs at least 2 km to stop.  Trains can stop, but they can’t stop quickly.
3. Trespassing – Taking a shortcut across the tracks or being on railway property is illegal and trespassers can get seriously injured or killed.
4. Weight Ratio – An average freight train weighs over 5, 500 tonnes (12 million lbs).  Compare that to a car, which weighs about 1.5 tonne (over 3,000 lbs).  A train hitting a car is like a car hitting a pop can.
5. 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.
6. Tunnels and Bridges – If you are trespassing on a bridge with a train approaching, you have two choices: jump or get hit.  Tunnels, bridges, and trestles are only designed for trains.
7. 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.
8. Anytime is Train Time – Trains do not always run on a schedule.  They can run at any time, on any track and come from either direction.
   1. Never walk or play on train tracks. It's dangerous and illegal. Also never play or stay near a stopped train.
   2. Be prepared to stop at crossings.
   3. Cross train tracks at designated highway/railroad crossings.
   4. Look for the crossbuck sign, lights or gates at crossings.
   5. Listen for warning bells and whistles.
   6. Obey the signals.
   7. Wait for the train to pass through the crossing, then wait again, to be sure that a second train is not approaching on another track int he same or opposite direction.
   8. Obey the directions of a police officer or member of a train crew directing traffic at a crossing.
   9. Cross the tracks in low gear; do not change gears while crossing.
   10. Stalled vehicle? Get out quickly and move away from the vehicle and tracks.

If you happen to witness any unsafe activity near the railroad, please contact the CN Police at 1-800-465-9239.

Please share these safety tips and act as a role model around trains and tracks!
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For more information on Rail Safety, visit www.cn.ca/railsafety.