Statement by OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh on International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2019

Thursday, June 6, 2019 marks the worldwide observance of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). For 11 years, ILCAD has focused attention on the preventable incidents that occur at railroad crossings throughout the world. Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (www.oli.org) is proud to have been part of this safety campaign since it began in 2009.

This year’s ILCAD focus on professional drivers targets an important issue in the U.S., as more than 15 percent of railroad crossing collisions involve vehicles that require a commercial driver’s license to operate. Operation Lifesaver, Inc.’s education efforts throughout the year include free specialized training for professional drivers, both in-person and through our online eLearning programs for truck drivers and school bus drivers. Because collisions between large trucks or school buses and trains can have devastating consequences for communities, these professional drivers are among the most important audiences for Operation Lifesaver’s safety messages.

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. and its programs in states throughout the U.S. are proud to be part of this year’s observance of ILCAD on June 6. I am pleased to join safety leaders from 40 countries at the ILCAD forum in the Netherlands to discuss best practices on educating drivers in pursuit of our shared goal – saving lives at crossings.

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