Published: September 21, 2023 @ 11:00 a.m.
Every year, dozens of Canadians are killed or seriously injured in collisions at railway crossings. In fact, there were 159 such incidents in Canada in 2022, which killed 14 people and seriously injured another 27. Sadly, virtually all these tragedies were preventable.
This week during Rail Safety Week, Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada, in partnership with HUB Surface Systems, NBM Railways and the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield – unveiled new rail safety signage as part of OL’s Look. Listen. Live. Community Safety Partnership Program. The signage has been installed near the following railway crossings in Grand Bay-Westfield:
Brittain Road;
Epworth Park Road;
Ferry Road;
Pamdenec Road; and
Station Street.
Safety decals will also be installed on the pavement near the Epworth Park Road railway crossing.
Through the program, OL works with municipalities to identify locations where rail-safety decals can be installed to remind people to be situationally aware around crossings. Each bright yellow decal features a black silhouette of a train, as well as the words “Look. Listen. Live.”—OL’s important rail-safety message. The goal of the decals is simple: to prevent tragic crossing incidents by making pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers more aware of the need to be vigilant around railway crossings.
“The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield remains committed to the wellbeing and safety of our community. The Town is proud to partner with Operation Lifesaver to help raise awareness with the Look.Listen.Live. initiative about the importance of being alert around railway crossings.” – Mayor Brittany Merrifield, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
“We’re working hard to ensure people stay off the tracks, adhere to signs and signals and stay alert. We live and work here and want to ensure our neighbours are safe,” says Ian Simpson, General Manager of NBM Railways. “We have a strong relationship with Operation Lifesaver and are happy to see them partner with the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield.”
“Incidents at railway crossings are tragically common across this country, and each one affects the victim’s family and friends, as well as railway employees, first responders and broader communities,” said Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. “This program aims to make the public more aware of the hazards around rail crossings, which will hopefully save lives. We want people to slow down, look in both directions, listen for approaching trains, and obey all railway warning signs and signals.”
Vancouver, B.C., and London, Ont., became the first Canadian cities to sign onto the Community Safety Partnership Program in 2018, and as of 2022 there were 80 municipalities participating in the program. This year, another 20 municipalities will be joining the program for a total of 100.
“Rail safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re pleased that so many communities have recognized that and chosen to join forces with us through the Community Safety Partnership Program,” said Mayes. “We hope to build on the program’s momentum, and work with even more municipalities to spread the rail-safety message and save lives.”
Municipalities can obtain more information about the Community Safety Partnership Program by visiting OL’s website. OL also recently unveiled a free toolkit for communities to use in promoting rail safety to their residents; it’s available at www.operationlifesaver.ca
About Operation Lifesaver Canada
Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CPKC, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operationlifesaver.ca
|
Photo Credit: J.D. Irving, Limited
Photo: Location: Epworth Park Road Railway Crossing, Grand Bay-Westfield
Photo: (L to R)
Emma Green, Sales and Marketing Lead, NBM Railways
Brad Peters, Assistant GM, NBM Railways
Christian Belliveau, Director of Safety & Maintenance, NBM Railways
Ian Simpson, General Manager, NBM Railways
Mayor Brittany Merrifield, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Councillor Keri Burpee, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Councillor Stephanie McIntosh Lawrence, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Bruce Gault, Public Works Commissioner, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
Christopher Crabbe, Public Works Superintendent, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield
