Web Tracks
In this installment of WEB TRACKS our attention is focused on staying safe around the tracks. The home page for Operation Lifesaver Inc. at www.oli.org/oli offers a browser the resources to become better informed about rail safety as well as the chance to get involved and teach others.
Operation Lifesaver is an active continuing public education program designed to reduce the number of deaths and injuries at highway-rail intersections and on railroad rights-of-way. It is sponsored cooperatively by a wide variety of partners, including federal, state and local government agencies, highway safety and transportation organizations, and the nation's railroads.
Its web page has links covering subjects such as: Upcoming Events & Activities, Operation Lifesaver 'In the News', and How to Order Educational Materials Available from Operation Lifesaver (such as brochures, videos, training kits (including teachers manual and video) as well as coloring books for younger children.)
The page also provides Highway-Rail Information such as the fact as that the majority of highway-rail crashes occur when the train is traveling less than 30 m.p.h. If you would like to get involved with the program you could click on to the "What is Operation Lifesaver Up to In My State?" icon and get a listing of Operation Lifesaver contacts in your state.
To meet its lifesaving goals, Operation Lifesaver strives to increase public awareness about highway-rail crossings and railroad tracks. The program seeks to improve driver and pedestrian behavior at highway-rail intersections by encouraging compliance with traffic laws relating to
crossing signs and signals. Operation Lifesaver endeavors to reduce deaths and injuries on railroad rights-of-way by educating people about the dangers on the tracks. In conjunction with its education program, Operation Lifesaver emphasizes the enforcement of existing traffic and
trespassing laws, consolidation and closure of redundant highway-rail crossings, and engineering improvements, including installation and upgrading of crossing warning devices and signs.