CP Police steps up safety enforcement in Southern Ontario

Rail Safety Week is April 26 - May 2, 2010

Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) will conduct crossing and rail property trespassing enforcement as part of Railway Safety Week in Canada, which runs from April 26 to May 2.

TORONTO, April 25 /CNW/ - At Canadian Pacific, the health and safety of our employees and the public is fundamental to our culture and our operations, and CPPS are dedicated to promoting public awareness of railway safety issues. CPPS officers will be out next week reminding motorists, cyclists and pedestrians of the importance of staying safe around railway crossings and property.

"Awareness helps prevent tragic consequences from occurring and creates a safer situation for everybody," said CP Police Inspector Bill Law. "During Rail Safety Week, officers across our system have the opportunity to further educate the public to deter risk taking behavior through enforcement activities."

CPPS officers will conduct traffic enforcement blitzes at railway crossings and anti-trespassing patrols around rail operations in Toronto, Milton, Sudbury, Bowmanville, Hamilton, Oshawa, Mississauga, Cambridge, Trenton, Alliston, Whitby, Vaughan, Chatham and Windsor.

In 2009, Transport Canada reported 186 crossing collisions across Canada, 19 fatalities and 21 serious injuries. There were also 70 trespasser incidents, including 52 fatalities and 15 serious injuries. These numbers do not include the many near collisions that take place every year.

"Building public awareness is our top priority," said Inspector Law. "Ignoring signage at railway crossings and trespassing on railway property creates significant unnecessary personal risks that often lead to personal injury or death."

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 or applicable Provincial Legislation. 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.

About Canadian Pacific Police Service

The Canadian Pacific Police Service is a police agency created by Federal Statute with full federal and provincial powers, its members are peace officers as defined by the Criminal code. The CPPS plays an important role in public safety and enforcement in the communities where CP operates. CPPS officers typically promote public safety through trespasser abatement patrols, enforcement of traffic legislation at 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 US by ensuring supply chain security and ensuring the operational efficiency of the transportation network.

Editor's Note: For information/assistance on Rail Safety Week activities in your area, please contact Mike LoVecchio or Michel Spenard for specifics.

    
    Canadian Pacific Rail Safety Activities in your area
    ----------------------------------------------------

    Toronto

    April 26  - Trespass Enforcement - Islington Ave at Bloor St., Neilson
              Road to Lawrence Ave.

    April 27  - Trespass Enforcement - Eglinton Ave to Church St. Crossing

    April 28  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Osler Crossing to Mount
              Pleasant Overpass
              - Trespass Enforcement - Islington Ave at Bloor St. W.

    April 30  - Trespass Enforcement - Montgomery Overpass to Bloor St. &
              Yonge St. to Mount Pleasant Blvd at Shaftesbury.

    May 1     - Trespass Enforcement - Yonge St. to Mount Pleasant Blvd at
              Shaftesbury.

    May 2     - Trespass Enforcement - Photography Drive Area & Neilson Road
              to Lawrence Ave.

    Milton

    April 26  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Court St. & Main St.
              Crossings

    May 1     - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Court St. & Main St.
              Crossings

    Sudbury

    April 26  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Elm St.

    April 28  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Elm St.

    Bowmanville

    April 27  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - GO Transit Station &
              Scugog St.

    Hamilton

    April 27  - Crossing Enforcement - Quigley Road & Ottawa St. N.

    April 29  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Cannon St. E.

    April 30  - Trespass Enforcement - Aberdeen Rail Yard
              - Crossing Enforcement - Ottawa St. N.

    Oshawa

    April 27  - Trespass Enforcement - Railway Property in City of Oshawa

    Mississauga

    April 27  - Trespass Enforcement - Confederation Pkwy & Central Pkwy

    Cambridge

    April 28  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Hespler Road Crossing &
              Courtland Ave.

    Brighton

    April 28  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Prince Edward St. Crossing
              & Surrounding Area

    Trenton

    April 28  - Trespass & Crossing Enforcement - Railway Property in the
              City of Trenton

    Alliston

    April 29  - Trespass Enforcement - Railway Property in the town of
              Alliston

    Whitby

    April 30  - Trespass Enforcement - Railway Property in the town of Whitby

    Windsor

    April 26  - Crossing Enforcement - Dougall Ave. Crossing

    April 27  - Crossing Enforcement - Tecumseh Road West Crossing

    April 28  - Crossing Enforcement - Dougall Ave. Crossing

    April 29  - Crossing Enforcement - Howard Ave. Crossing

    April 30  - Crossing Enforcement - Tecumseh Road West Crossing
    

For further information: Mike LoVecchio, Sr Manager, Media Relations, Canadian Pacific, [phone] tel, [phone] 24/7 media pager; Michel Spenard, Manager, Media Relations - East, Canadian Pacific, [phone] tel, [phone] 24/7 media pager