24 April 2009
Rail Safety Week
Across Canada - The Canadian Pacific Police Service
(CPPS) is taking its public safety message directly to the street, during Rail Safety Week which runs from 27 Apr 2009 to
3 May 2009 in Canada.
CP Police officers from Montreal to Vancouver will conduct more than 100 safety and enforcement blitzes in communities across Canada.
They will remind students, pedestrian, cyclists, and motorists about the important message of staying safe around railway crossings
and property.
"This week our focus is to build on the education efforts of programs such as Operation Lifesaver by deploying officers to
enforce the laws that relate specifically to railway safety", said CPPS Chief Ivan McClelland. "Safety is everyone's
responsibility, safety needs to be top of mind at all times".
In 2008, Transport Canada reported 214 crossing collisions across Canada, 26 fatalities, and 36 serious injuries. There were also 101
trespasser incidents, including 56 fatalities, and 27 serious injuries.
"These statistics highlight the need for increased safety awareness around railways", added Chief McClelland. "We are
taking a more pro-active approach and confronting the problem head on, shifting our focus from education to enforcement
activities. Our aim is to reinforce the need for safety and to deter people from taking unnecessary risks".
People who trespass on railway property or fail to yield the right-of-way to an approaching train at a crossing risk
death or serious injury and are subject to being charged with a number of offences under the Rail Safety Act. People can report
offences occurring at crossings and on railway property by contacting the Canadian Pacific Police Service at:
1-800-716-9132 or their local police.
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