CSX Promotes Safety Near Railroad Tracks During ‘Rail Safety Week’ in U.S. and Canada
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safety is a core value at CSX, and this week the railroad is partnering with the non-profit Operation Lifesaver, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), other freight railroads, Amtrak, commuter rail-service providers and law enforcement agencies across its 23-state network to raise awareness about how to be safe around railroad tracks. While CSX focuses on rail safety education year-round, this week all safety partners are working together through a dedicated joint effort. Through public events, safety presentations and social media messages during the week of Sept. 23-29, CSX (Nasdaq: CSX) is working to reduce the number of crossing and trespassing accidents in the communities where it operates.
“Distracted driving and walking is a top public safety issue across the country. It’s even more of an issue when approaching railroad crossings,” said Sean Douris, chief of police for CSX. “Our goal is zero accidents, and we believe education is the best tool to prevent these types of accidents. CSX is committed to reaching as many people as possible with the information they need to keep themselves safe around railroad tracks.”
A person or vehicle is hit by a train about once every three hours in the U.S., according to Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a national educational organization dedicated to rail-safety awareness since 1972. While the number of collisions each year has dropped 83 percent in the past four decades, show 274 people died in 2017 in crossing collisions.
The goal of Rail Safety Week is to reduce these types of collisions and save lives by raising awareness about how to safely cross railroad tracks. Throughout the week, CSX representatives will join in this national initiative and focus on directly reaching drivers, pedestrians and rail passengers with important rail-safety tips.
“We are proud to participate in the first North American Rail Safety Week,” said Douris. “Tuesday’s Operation Clear Track initiative is the largest enforcement blitz in the country. Working together to share life-saving information with the communities where we operate, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact on rail safety in our country.”
CSX has developed a comprehensive Rail Safety Week plan designed to reach people of all ages and amplify rail safety messages through a grassroots social media campaign. The plan includes:
- ‘Safety blitzes’ at grade crossings where CSX representatives partner with local law enforcement agencies to reach drivers and pedestrians with safety information.
- Passenger rail station outreach focusing on rail passengers, in partnership with commuter rail service providers and Amtrak.
- Rail safety presentations at schools and community organizations.
- Rail safety outreach and giveaways at college campuses near CSX tracks.
- Targeted social media campaigns for areas on the CSX network that experience heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic crossing the tracks.
- Social media messages, materials and hashtags for employees, customers and community members to share and help spread the word about rail safety. Materials are available at:
About CSX
CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at Like us on Facebook () and follow us on Twitter ().
Contact: Bryan Tucker, Corporate Communications
855-955-6397
