The Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver Mobilize “Operation Clear Track”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver, (OLI), a national rail safety educational non-profit organization, are mobilizing “Operation Clear Track” to reduce deaths and injuries surrounding railroad tracks and crossings.

Working in tandem with law enforcement agencies and first responders, Operation Clear Track is noted as the single largest rail safety initiative in the U.S. Observed annually during Rail Safety Week which occurs between September 19 and September 25 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the initiative raises awareness regarding railroad track and crossing safety.

“According to the Federal Railroad Administration, trespassing on the railroad right-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America,” said Amtrak Chief of Police D. Samuel Dotson in a recent press release. “These incidents serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings. In an effort to save lives and keep communities safe, we continue to work closely on Operation Clear Track to emphasize the importance of obeying the law and the dangers of ignoring warnings at rail crossings.”

“Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train,” said Rachel Maleh, OLI’s Executive Director. “Our mission is to save lives by helping people make safe choices around railroad tracks and trains. We are grateful to Amtrak and first responders in joining our efforts in helping to share rail safety messaging. Together, we can help stop track tragedies.”

Operation Clear Track allows law enforcement officials share safety tips, enforce crossing and trespassing laws, and write citations and warnings to violators around high-incident railroad grade crossings.

“State Operation Lifesaver programs across the U.S. and their partners in the first response community participate in Operation Clear Track and other Rail Safety Week events to reduce these incidents and empower the state’s residents to keep themselves safe near tracks and trains,” they said.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. Their programs are active in 47 states as well as the District of Columbia. A national network of trained volunteers provides free rail safety presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI’s free Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) provides critical information for first responders when managing incidents around tracks and trains, as noted in their most recent press release.

For more information on railroad safety, visit oli.org and stayoffthetracks.org .

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