OTTAWA, June 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Operation Lifesaver, Canada's dedicated not-for-profit organization focused on preventing accidents associated with train collisions with motor vehicles and trespassing on rail property is proud to support International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) 2012 on Thursday, June 7th, 2012. ILCAD focuses on educational measures and the promotion of safe behaviour at and around level crossings in more than 42 countries under the common message of "Act safely at level crossings!"
Operation Lifesaver recently held its 10th annual Public-Rail Safety Week (PRSW) across Canada with a focus on disseminating rail safety best practices and on empowering Canadians to take personal responsibility for their safety on or near rail property. OL efforts over the past 31 years have helped reduce the number of crossing collisions (where a train and motor vehicle collide) in Canada from over 800 annually to 169 in 2011, a 79 per cent decline.
"I congratulate ILCAD for its fourth edition of educational measures and the promotion of safe behaviour at and around level crossings," said Operation Lifesaver National Director Dan Di Tota. "We encourage everyone to take rail safety seriously, to get involved and to educate themselves and others on best practices that we know help save lives."
Canada's railways run an average of 1,100 passenger and goods trains every day, often over some of the world's most rugged terrain and in some of the world's worst weather conditions. Canada's railways have the best safety record in North America and provide by far the safest means of ground transportation in Canada.
About Operation Lifesaver
Established in Canada in 1981, Operation Lifesaver is a national public-rail safety program sponsored by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada. Through partnerships with provincial safety councils, police, railways, the trucking industry and community groups, Operation Lifesaver is dedicated to saving lives by educating Canadians about the hazards surrounding highway/railway crossings and trespassing on railway property.
Dan Di Tota
Operation Lifesaver
613-564-8094
[email protected]
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