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Young
Canadians risk their lives on
the tracks
![Direction 2006](/web/20071214050151im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/images/cross.jpg)
Results of a poll just released by the Railway Association of Canada show
that the majority of young Canadians risk injury or death by walking on railway
tracks – despite being aware of the danger of moving trains.
The nation-wide Ipsos-Reid Internet poll shows that practically all young
Canadians (94 per cent) know that it is dangerous to walk or play on railway
tracks, yet over half (51 per cent) say they have taken that risk. One in five
(21 per cent) think it's okay as long as they don't see or hear a train coming.
In 2005, 78 people were seriously injured and 104 people were killed in
railway crossing collisions and trespassing incidents across Canada. Twenty-six
per cent of the trespassing injuries involved young Canadians. Almost six in ten
young Canadians (58 per cent) live or go to school within a twenty-minute walk
of railway tracks, and many of them take short cuts across the tracks.
For more information on rail safety, visit the
Direction
2006 site.
Quick facts that could save your life......
- Walking on railway tracks and railway property is trespassing.
- A train is a metre wider than the rails on each side.
- Passenger trains travel up to 160 km/h, and freight trains up to 100
km/h.
- It can take a train over a minute to come to a complete stop. For
example, in perfect weather, an 88-car freight train weighing 13,000
tonnes and travelling 96 km/h would cover about two kilometres before
stopping.
- The train you see is closer and moving faster than you think. Do not
be fooled by the optical illusion. If you see a train approaching, wait
for it to go by before you proceed across the tracks.
- ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
- Cell phones, loud music and headphones can keep you from hearing a
train. Environmental conditions can muffle sounds, bells, whistles and
other train noises.
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