To further increase public awareness of rail safety, promote education of safe actions around railroad crossings and right-of-way, and enforce safety measures, the South Shore Line (SSL) will be participating in National Rail Safety Week September 22-28, 2019.
The statistics are staggering. Approximately every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. The goal of Railroad Safety Week is to raise awareness across the United States of the need for rail safety education and encourage the general public to keep themselves safe near highway-rail grade crossings, and railroad rights-of-way.
“Many of the injuries that occur at or near rail crossings can be prevented. It is critical that we continue to educate the public on the risks associated with trespassing near railroad tracks or disregarding laws and warning devices that have been put in place for the safety of those on the train as well as those in our community,” commented Nicole Barker, Director of Capital Investment and Implementation at the SSL. “Passenger rail service is a positive and safe means of transportation in our communities and for our riders. We will continue to do whatever it takes to better educate and enforce railway safety measures to avert and hopefully eliminate accidents along the railroad.”
During Railroad Safety Week, September 22-28, the SSL will provide educational information regarding the dangers around the railroads, highway grade crossings, and right-of-way. Information provided will cover safety measures employed by the SSL and the responsibility of the public in preventing accidents, including proper safety precautions at stations & platforms, boarding & exiting, parking cars, riding the train, observing railroad crossing laws, and emergency protocols.
Please visit www.mysouthshoreline.com or South Shore Line’s social media all week, for helpful safety information.
The South Shore Line is a commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend International Airport in South Bend, Indiana.