New Operation Lifesaver Video Warns Filming on Train Tracks is Illegal, Deadly
WASHINGTON, DC, November 30, 2016 – Alarmed by several deadly incidents involving people making videos near railroad tracks, the national nonprofit rail safety education group Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is releasing a new animated video to warn amateur filmmakers and smart phone users of the dangers and illegality of using train tracks for videos. The new video is the latest in a series drawing attention to illegal and dangerous activities involving train tracks.
“Operation Lifesaver and our partners at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which funded the video, are concerned about this deadly trend,” said OLI President and CEO Bonnie Murphy. “Since 2015, three people have died making videos on or near train tracks. Our new video makes it clear that taking videos on or near train tracks is not only illegal, it’s a bad idea,” she stated.
Murphy said the video will be available on the OLI website and via social media.
“Our message to the public is that train tracks are never a good place to take videos of your family or for a school project; what seems innocent can quickly turn to tragedy,” said Karl Alexy, director, FRA office of safety analysis. “Trespassing on private railroad tracks and property is always illegal and often fatal, because trains can’t stop quickly to avoid hitting someone on the tracks. Always expect a train on any track, in either direction, at any time.”
While preliminary statistics for 2015 from the FRA show that trespass deaths and injuries dropped by two percent from 2014, early indications are that trespass incidents are rising substantially in 2016. Rail-related trespass deaths rose 19.8 percent from January through August 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, and injuries rose 12 percent, statistics show.
“Rail trespass deaths and injuries are especially heartbreaking because they are preventable,” Murphy said. “We want people to know these tragic incidents are on the rise, reversing progress we were seeing with our ongoing “See Tracks? Think Train!” rail safety education campaign. Please spread the word to family and friends, and help us reverse this startling trend.”
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Taking #videos on train tracks = an illegal, bad idea http://bit.ly/2gT796l #NoVideosOnTrainTracks
About Operation Lifesaver - Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit 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. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” provides the general public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more at http://www.oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
