DEMING – Railroad tracks are a familiar part of the landscape in Deming and Luna County, and a nationwide safety campaign this week is reminding residents that every railroad crossing should be approached with caution.
See Tracks? Think Train Week is being observed Sept. 21 through Sept. 27 across the United States. Formerly known as Rail Safety Week, the annual campaign is coordinated by Operation Lifesaver and its partners to raise awareness about railroad crossing safety and trespassing prevention. The observance began in the United States in 2017 and marks its 10th anniversary this year.
The safety message is especially relevant in communities such as Deming, where railroad tracks and crossings are part of everyday travel.
Operation Lifesaver reports that a person or vehicle is struck by a train approximately every three hours in the United States. More than 2,300 people are injured or killed each year in railroad crossing and trespassing incidents across North America.
Drivers should always slow down and remain alert when approaching railroad tracks. Flashing lights, bells and lowered crossing gates should never be ignored, and motorists should never attempt to drive around a lowered gate or race a train through a crossing.
Pedestrians should also stay off railroad tracks, bridges and other railroad property. Tracks should never be used as shortcuts, walking paths or locations for photographs or videos.
If a vehicle becomes stalled or stuck on railroad tracks, occupants should immediately get out and move safely away from the tracks. Blue-and-white Emergency Notification System signs posted at crossings provide a telephone number and crossing identification number that can be used to alert the railroad. If that information is unavailable, call 911.
The Federal Railroad Administration says highway-rail grade crossing incidents are the second-leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States, with more than 2,000 incidents and approximately 200 fatalities occurring at grade crossings annually.
See Tracks? Think Train Week also includes daily safety themes aimed at motorists, pedestrians, professional drivers, first responders and others who encounter railroad tracks.
The message for Deming and Luna County residents is simple: expect a train on any track, at any time and from either direction.
See tracks? Think train.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News, LLC – John@Bravomic.com
