1 October 2004 CPR Police Promote Rail Safety Awareness During One-Day Public Education Blitz Calgary - Canadian Pacific Railway Police Services (CPRPS) will be taking the important message of railway safety directly to motorists this weekend in Calgary and area.   On Saturday, 2 Oct 2004, CPR Police Officers will be conducting traffic awareness and safety check stops at selected railway crossings in Calgary, Okotoks and High River. The one-day initiative is to target high-risk drivers at railway crossings and perform general driver safety and education blitzes.   "The goal is to reduce collision frequency by increasing understanding among motorists that each individual driver has a personal responsibility to avoid mishaps at railway crossings," said CPR Police Community Services Unit District Coordinator, Constable Gordie Wharf. "The cooperation of motorists is key, because it takes an average freight train up to a mile to come to a complete stop in an emergency."   Since January of this year, there have been more than 20 accidents at railway crossings in Alberta.   This year's safety awareness initiative by CPR Police is part of a cross-Canada campaign from October 8-11th by Operation Impact, a national traffic safety and enforcement initiative program, presented in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Services of Canada and Transport Canada. Its focus is to identify high-risk driving behaviors, bring them to the public's attention and direct intensive enforcement efforts at offenders who display these and other poor driving habits.   CPR Police officers will be at the following crossings on Saturday: Calgary: 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - 9th Avenue and 8th Street S.E. and Ogden Road and 69th Street S.E. Okotoks: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Daggett Street at Lineham Avenue. High River: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. 1st Street S.W. at 3rd Avenue. "We hope by conducting this one-day awareness building exercise, as well as identifying any high-risk drivers it will make more motorists aware of safety issues not only around railway tracks, but when traveling through all of our neighbourhoods," added Constable Wharf, who noted CPR's rigorous safety program supports the work of Operation Lifesaver, and Direction 2006 - programs that promote public safety around railways. "Canadian Pacific Railway takes the safety of the public very seriously, which is why CPR Police Officers work with partners in conducting public safety programs at all levels in the community."   During last year's safety and education blitz in Calgary and area, more than 2,000 vehicles were checked by CPR Police.