September is Rail Safety Month in California and September 19-25 is U.S. Rail Safety Week across the nation. California leads the nation in annual fatalities due to highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents, according to California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL).
Most incidents are preventable by following simple safety rules, including:
- Never walk on or along train tracks; it's illegal trespassing and highly dangerous.
- Cross train tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings and obey all warning signs and signals posted there.
- Stay alert whenever you are near railroad tracks and crossings. Don't use your phone, wear headphones or let other things distract you and possibly prevent you from hearing an approaching train.
To help create awareness, promote safety and prevent future rail incidents, OCTA is conducting a month-long education program along the Orange County rail corridor that includes distributing flyers to schools, cities, libraries, community centers and chambers of commerce, safety messaging on buses, at train stations and on social media and a dedicated website.
Learn more here about rail safety and pledge to be rail safe for a chance to win two Metrolink tickets.