Encourages building safe behaviour around railway tracks and equipment through sponsorship of Thomas and Friends™ story and activity books
CALGARY, AB, Sept. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) proudly support Rail Safety Week, which begins today in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to increase awareness about staying safe around railway crossings and tracks. Again this year, CP and CPPS will join Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL) and Operation Lifesaver U.S. (OLI) as they lead the way to bring train-related injuries and fatalities to zero.
During Rail Safety Week, CPPS officers will be in communities across CP’s network patrolling railway property and conducting rail safety presentations to educate the public on the dangers of unsafe behaviour around trains and tracks.
“It’s important to support and recognize Rail Safety Week because one person seriously injured or killed is one too many,” said Al Sauve, Chief of CP Police Service. “CP Police will participate in different activities across CP’s network to help educate the public on rail safety in an effort to stop these preventable incidents. We want everyone to always go home safe.”
Every year, approximately 2,100 North Americans are seriously hurt or killed because of unsafe behaviour around railway tracks and trains.
“Our goal for Rail Safety Week is to remind Canadians that making an unsafe decision around tracks and trains — whether it’s to train-hop, ignore railway signs and signals or to send a text while driving — can tear lives apart: yours, those of your loved ones and members of your community,” said Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. “We’re calling on everyone to do their part to #STOPTrackTragedies.”
CP will also support OL and OLI initiatives throughout the week by participating in Operation Clear Track in Canada and the U.S., promoting #STOPTrackTragedies and supporting the unveiling of rail safety decals that say “Look. Listen. Live.” at 19 railway crossings across CP’s network in Canada.
“Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) continues to be thankful for CP’s active engagement in Rail Safety Week. Joining our counterparts in Canada and Mexico, partnerships are instrumental in sharing the rail safety message. Together, we can stop track tragedies,” said Executive Director Rachel Maleh of Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Last week, Operation Lifesaver launched two new Thomas & Friends™ books published in partnership with Mattel Canada, CP and Metrolinx to help reach young Canadians with the rail safety message.
“Teaching children about rail safety from an early age forms their behaviours for the future,” said Sauve. “Thomas & Friends™ is an age-appropriate and easy-to-understand introduction to rail safety that we hope will positively influence children. CP is proud to be a part of this initiative with Operation Lifesaver and help share the message of rail safety.”
Follow CP’s rail safety outreach activities on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.
Visit OL and OLI to learn more about Rail Safety Week and how to become a rail safety ambassador.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.
About CP Police Service
The CP Police Service (CPPS) is a fully accredited police agency operating in both Canada and the United States created by Federal Statute with full federal, state and provincial powers. CPPS officers are peace officers as defined by the Criminal Code. The CPPS plays an important role by contributing to public safety and enforcement activities in the communities where Canadian Pacific operates. CPPS officers promote public safety through trespasser abatement patrols, enforcement of traffic legislation at and near railway crossings and participation in education activities to raise awareness of community safety issues. The CPPS also help to protect the critical infrastructure of Canada and the U.S. by ensuring supply chain integrity and ensuring the operational efficiency of the transportation network.
About Operation Lifesaver Canada
Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CP, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, Exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of trespassing on railway property and failing to exercise caution at rail crossings. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operationlifesaver.ca.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1972, 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. In 1986 the non-profit Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) national office was created to help support and coordinate efforts of state Operation Lifesaver programs, saving lives by sharing rail safety messages with audiences across the U.S. and beyond. OLI programs are active in 47 states and the District of Columbia. A national network of trained volunteers gives 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. Learn more about OLI and Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific
