“There Is No ‘Undo’ Button When It’s You Vs. A Train”
That’s the motto of Operation Lifesaver (OL) for this year’s Rail Safety Week campaign.
Since 1981, OL has been committed to reducing accidents at railway crossings and preventing trespassing incidents across Canada. We firmly believe that public education is essential to reaching this objective.
Chris Day, the interim National Director of Canada, emphasized that the organization’s crucial mission is to achieve a state of zero—zero fatalities related to railways, zero injuries, zero incidents at crossings, and zero instances of trespassing.
“We’ve got work to do to get to zero. And everyone has a role to play. Rail safety is a responsibility we all share.”
Over the week, OL is launching a variety of new materials and campaigns, highlighted by an exciting musical collaboration, as well as impactful videos, resources, and events aimed at engaging young people and their families.
OL also has data compiled from Transportation Safety Board statistics:
- In 2023, a total of 73 Canadians suffered injuries or lost their lives while illegally on tracks or railway property, while an additional 32 faced similar fates at crossings.
- In the first half of 2024, incidents of trespassing have surged by 57 per cent when compared to the average over the past five years.
- Each month, seven Canadians are harmed in federal railway zones, a 62 per cent increase from the usual average.
- In early 2024, 10 Canadians were injured or killed monthly at railway crossings or while trespassing on federally regulated railways, showing a 33 per cent rise from the previous five-year average.
- In Canada, around 60 per cent of public crossing incidents happen at crossings with automated warning signals like lights, bells, or gates.
