CN Police officers are spreading a rail safety message in British Columbia. Last year in North America, there were over 3,400 collisions with trains, resulting in over 2,200 serious injuries or fatalities. Rail safety is a core value at CN and CN Police wants to be a part of the effort to minimize the risk of incidents related to the use of snowmobiles.
Riding a snowmobile is a great way to enjoy British Columbia outdoors when done safely, but people must remember that snowmobiles and railway tracks are not a good combination. Railway yards, tracks, tunnels and bridges are private property. Riding along or on railway tracks or taking a shortcut across tracks is not only illegal, it can be fatal. CN Police will be on patrol throughout the province and want to send a strong safety reminder not to trespass on railway tracks or property.
“Safety is a core value at CN and we want to take every opportunity to raise awareness on safe behaviour around rail,” said Const. Peter Talvio, CN Police Canada. “It is our job to make sure that British Columbians know that snowmobiles and railway tracks are not a good combination. It is important for CN Police officers to engage the population on the dangers related to a railway incident. We want everyone to Be Rail Smart: ‘Stop. Look. Listen. Live.’”
Tips on how to stay safe near a railway for your audience:
- Use designated railway crossings.
- Slow down, look both ways and listen for approaching trains; proceed only if it is safe to do so.
- Stay off the tracks, trespassing on railway property is both dangerous and illegal.
- Use approved trails, not railway tracks.
- Keep in mind that trains can overhang the tracks by as much as one metre on each side.
- Stalls or stuck vehicles must be left behind. Once safe, immediately notify emergency responders by calling 911.
- Be rail-smart while snowmobiling: “Stop. Look. Listen. Live”.
For additional safety tips or other information regarding rail safety or CN Police, follow this link: https://www.cn.ca/en/safety/cn-police-service/