The engine roar, blinking lights and sounding bells mixed with crossarms will not be sufficient to guarantee security precautions at railroad crossings.
Throughout his 16 years as a police officer primarily based within the South Bend and Mishawaka space, Jeffrey Worth has witnessed the destruction and aftermath, together with useless fatalities, when railroad crossings grow to be police emergency scenes.
“A automobile or individual is hit by a prepare each three hours, on common, with greater than 60% of those collisions occurring at crossings outfitted with lights and gates,” stated Worth, who now serves as supervisor for U.S. public and authorities affairs for Canadian Nationwide Railway Firm.
“There may be extra we are able to do to alter these statistics.”
Worth and his group joined Valparaiso officers, together with Mayor Jon Costas and Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre, Tuesday to acknowledge this week as “See Tracks? Assume Practice Week,” the annual nationwide marketing campaign highlighting training and consciousness for rail security, Sept. 15 by Sunday, Sept. 21.
“I’ve been in my railroad function for 10 years now, and initially, the week remark was simply known as ‘Rail Security Week,’ after which we modified a number of years in the past,” Worth stated.
“We place an emphasis on coaching everybody, however particularly kids, about rail security to scale back dangers as a pedestrian when crossing railroad tracks.”
Following the Tuesday morning presentation close to downtown Valparaiso on the railroad crossing at 800 Calumet Ave., Costas helped with the paint and stencil course of to create a pavement-printed yellow signal.
“We worth our partnership with CN and assist the commerce our railways characterize,” Costas stated.
“This week is a good reminder of the message our Valparaiso Police Division and metropolis of Valparaiso often promote concerning rail security, urging all to concentrate when approaching railroad crossings, whether or not you’re driving or a pedestrian. Crossings are a time to decelerate, flip down your audio and watch fastidiously.”
Along with including the brand new pavement indicators, Worth stated his group is continuous a push for standardized indicators mounted alongside all railroad crossings to be beacons which give emergency data such because the deal with of the crossing and a cellphone quantity to name to immediately attain the railroad dispatch to report a malfunction at a crossing or alert to a automobile stalled on the tracks.
“Whereas we all the time desire a motorist with a automobile stalled on a railway crossing to first name 911, the subsequent name must be to the quantity on these posted indicators, which may make all of the distinction for the dispatcher to cease a prepare that is likely to be en route,” Worth stated.
“We’re dedicated to making sure that our communities keep protected close to railroads and that the general public understands the vital significance of vigilance round prepare tracks.”
Worth stated posted railroad data indicators have all the time existed on the mounts in any respect railroad crossings; nevertheless, the indicators have by no means included a common design.
“Beginning in 2017, all the varied railroad firms started working collectively to create a common design so these posted signal designations are distinct and simple to identify,” Worth stated.
“By 2019, many of the posted indicators had been standardized.”
Valparaiso is working with CN to make additional enhancements at railway crossings in Valparaiso, together with a brand new pedestrian walkway at Silhavy Highway, together with enhanced crossings and the addition of cameras.
The protection occasion additionally included the signing of a mayor’s proclamation designating this week as “See Tracks? Assume Practice Rail Security Week.”
“We’re dedicated to making sure that our communities keep protected close to railroads and that the general public understands the vital significance of vigilance round prepare tracks,” Worth stated.
“This annual week observance supplies useful data to assist stop tragic accidents and guarantee safer interactions between individuals, autos and trains.”
Philip Potempa is a contract reporter for the Publish-Tribune.
