Governor Walker proclaims May 14 as Operation Lifesaver Awareness Day

May 11, 2012

Governor Scott Walker has issued a proclamation making Monday, May 14, 2012, Operation Lifesaver Awareness Day in Wisconsin.

Operation Lifesaver is a national rail safety organization with coordinators in all 50 states. Its mission is to educate motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists about railroad safety and help put an end to preventable rail-related deaths and injuries.

Last year, there were 56 highway/railroad grade crossing crashes in Wisconsin. Those crashes resulted in seven deaths and 16 injuries, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA also reported there were 12 pedestrian incidents on or near railroad tracks in 2011, resulting in seven deaths and five injuries.

"It takes the average freight train, traveling at 55 mph, more than a mile to stop," said Susan Klinger, state coordinator of Operation Lifesaver. "Trains cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision, so drivers need to slow down, look and listen before crossing the tracks."

Operation Lifesaver and WisDOT offer the following rail reminders:

• Freight trains don't travel at fixed times and schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at each highway/rail intersection.
• Trains have the right of way 100% of the time over emergency vehicles, cars, the police and pedestrians.
• Trains can move in either direction at any time. Sometimes their cars are pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled.
• Today's trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale "clickety-clack." Any approaching train is always closer and moving faster than you think.
• Remember to cross train tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings, and obey all warning signs and signals posted there.
• Stay alert around railroad tracks. No texting, headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train; never mix rails and recreation.

"People should consider every day Operation Lifesaver Awareness Day," concluded Klinger. "Our education efforts will continue until we achieve zero rail-related deaths in Wisconsin."

For more information about Operation Lifesaver, visit http://oli.org/.

For more information, contact:
Susan Klinger, Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver coordinator
(715) 453-2303, sklinger@gwrr.com