Idaho’s Operation Lifesaver team has announced that it is continuing to partner with railways and Idaho State Police to address misuse of level crossings. Officer on a Train is an initiative to the fore as it is seen as effective in both identifying misuse and apprehending those seen to have abused level crossings.

The latest one day Officer on a Train initiative led to ten motorists receiving citations as trains ran between Meridian to Boise and Nampa to Weiser. For those cited for failing to stop at a red signal protecting a level crossing can expect a fine of USD 85.

The Officer on a Train programme is credited with contributing to reduce the number of level crossing accidents in Idaho from 89 when the programme began in the 1990’s to 16 in 2010.

(December 30th, 2011)

A crackdown on motorists misusing level crossings, many of which are user worked, on the Network Rail route between Ormskirk and Preston has resulted in five motorists being reported for prosecution. British Transport Police officers advised motorists of their obligation to use crossings properly and targeted those who despite the warnings continued to misuse crossings along the line which is recognised as a hot-spot corridor.

One issue tackled in the blitz was the tendency of some to leave gates open to road traffic at user worked crossings where the gates open away from the railway. Leaving the gates open is an invitation to others to do the same and can lead others to cross without first establishing that it is in fact safe to cross.

(December 22nd, 2011)

Operation Lifesaver Estonia has once again produced an excellent awareness raising package for the Christmas season with the “let the train pass. you are expected home for Christmas” strapline.

The messaging targeted those with children and delivered the level crossing safety message in a way that highlighted the expectation of children that their parents will arrive home safe and sound. Moreover, the campaign message reflected on the grief caused to families and friends when, as a result of an accident, someone doesn’t come home.

The Operation Lifesaver Estonia Christmas campaign ran from December 13th, to December 24th 2011 using television and radio public service announcements, press advertising and prominently displayed posters.

As in 2010, Operation Lifesaver’s Christmas poster was made available for use in other jurisdictions. Last year the poster was widely adopted and appeared in a total of 14 languages.
To learn more visit: http://ole.ee/2011/12/you-are-expected-home-for-christmas/.

(December 14th, 2011)

Following a one-day crossing safety blitz that led to 34 motorists and six pedestrians receiving citations for misuse of level crossings, Police have issued a warning that further blitzes will be mounted. The background to this being the six people killed along the railway rights-of-way in the Los Angeles area. Of these four were killed on railways in the San Fernando valley.

The intent to mount further exercises to tackle misuse of railway crossings and associated trespass offences was revealed in a press conference in Van Nuys where a senior Los Angeles Police Department officer spoke as investigations into recent fatalities were ongoing, three of the six having occurred within the last two months. While intentional death is an explanation for two of the fatalities, it is clear that in the other cases with fatal consequences the death was accidental.

Most recently, a pedestrian was killed when he was struck by a freight train in Anaheim on December 9th, 2011. This collision occurred at approximately 08.00 and saw the wrecked car pushed across the town line into neighbouring Placentia. Initial investigations suggest that the accident occurred when the motorist set out to cross the railway after the crossing controls had activated.

(December 9th, 2011)

Local police and the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) joined forces to target those who misuse level crossings in Sioux City.

The chosen approach was to shuttle a train over Sioux City’s level crossings on which police officers were travelling to identify misuse and direct road based units to intercept the miscreants and caution or ticket them as appropriate.

(December 7th, 2011)

Operation Lifesaver Canada’s winter safety message reminds motorists that preparing for winter isn’t just preparing your vehicle. What matters as much is a state of mind that leaves you alert to address the hazards of winter driving, particularly at level crossings.

Listen to this audio clip featuring Operation Lifesaver Canada’s National Director, Dan Di Tota, for a reminder that winter driving conditions can make it difficult to see and hear oncoming trains. Always approach level crossings with care and be prepared to stop.

http://www.operationlifesaver.ca/general/2011/12/07/survive-the-winter-pay-careful-attention-at-highway-railway-crossings-make-it-to-spring-alive/

(December 7th, 2011)