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OTTAWA, Dec. 13, 2000– Days are
short, winter is long and you’re dead for the rest of your life. One of
those three you have some control over, according to Operation Lifesaver
National Director Ben Levesque. He’s on the road again with a public safety
message, urging motorists to exercise care and caution at highway-railway
crossings, particularly at this time of year.
Speaking to a Transport Canada training seminar
on safety in Rigaud, Qc. today, Mr. Levesque said: " Canadians visiting
relatives and friends may encounter bad weather conditions and unfamiliar
surroundings. That’s all the more reason for them to exercise care and good
judgment, so the holidays really are merry and bright!"
He also cautioned snowmobilers against
operating on and around railway tracks. "The sound of snowmobile engines
can mask the sound of approaching trains, or a ski can get caught in track
switches. Either way, the result can be deadly," said Mr. Levesque.
He said a better, and safe, alternative is to
operate on designated snowmobile trails. Operation Lifesaver is the national
public safety program sponsored by Transport Canada and the Railway
Association of Canada. It works in partnership with provincial safety councils, police, unions and community groups to reduce crossing collisions
and trespasser deaths and injuries.
The program already has an excellent track
record, and has helped reduce highway/railway crossing collisions by 60
percent since its beginning 20 years ago. A special initiative, Direction
2006, is working to reduce those statistics by another 50 per cent by the year
2006. "In an ideal world, it will be zero, because such collisions are
preventable," said Mr. Levesque.
He added: "Trains can't stop quickly, they
require approximately up to two kilometers, and they certainly can't swerve to
avoid a collision. To a large degree, it is in the hands of drivers to save
their own lives, and those of their families and friends. Familiarity breeds
complacency, and the majority of collisions take place within 40 kilometers of
driver's homes."
The safety record along Canada’s railways has
been improving this year. According to Transportation Safety Board statistics
for the first three-quarters of 2000, there were 30 fewer crossing collisions
(174) than in 1999, and 22 fewer (54) trespassing incidents than a year ago.
Although crossing fatalities were up by one to
26, serious injuries were down by nine from last year to 20. Trespassing
fatalities were down by 15 to 36 and serious injuries, by 11, to a total of 15
for the same period, year over year.
"We ask motorists to make a habit of
approaching crossings with extreme caution and as much a part of driver safety
as the habit of putting on your seat belts," said Mr. Levesque.
"Approaching crossings cautiously, looking in both direction, listening
for approaching trains, obeying the warning signs and staying off railway
property, saves lives. The life you save may be your own!"
Contacts:
Ben Levesque
Operation Lifesaver
(613) 564-8094
Roger Cameron
The Railway Association of Canada
(613) 564-8097
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