New #STOPTrackTragedies PSA from Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Shows Dangers of Rail Trespassing, Impact on Engineers
WASHINGTON, DC, September 15, 2022 – Operation Lifesaver, Inc.(OLI), the national nonprofit rail safety education organization, is launching a new public service announcement (PSA) that shows how rail trespass incidents have lasting impressions on rail employees. The PSA is part of OLI’s ongoing #STOPTrackTragedies campaign, which features videos with the personal stories of people directly affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents and was made in partnership with Metra, the commuter railroad serving the Chicago metro area.
The new PSA shares the story of Maurice Taylor, a veteran Metra locomotive engineer, who was involved in an incident with a trespasser while operating his train. Funding for the PSA was provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
“Our newest #STOPTrackTragedies PSA, featuring Maurice Taylor, offers the important perspective of railroad locomotive engineers and other crew members regarding rail trespassing incidents, and shows why Operation Lifesaver tells people to ‘stay off, stay away, stay safe,’” stated OLI Executive DirectorRachel Maleh. “We are grateful to Maurice for sharing his story and to the FTA and Metra for their ongoing partnership.”
“Maurice’s story is unfortunately one that is shared by many engineers and conductors,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “That’s why Metra and Operation Lifesaver’s longstanding partnership in rail safety education is so important, and why Metra is proud that one of our employees is playing such a central role in communicating the importance of staying safe by staying off the tracks.”
Maleh continued, “Know the facts. Make good decisions. Take the Rail Safety Pledge and share the rail safety message. Together, we can stop track tragedies.”
For more information regarding near miss incidents on the tracks, visit oli.org/passenger-rail-safety.
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About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1972, is a non-profit 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. In 1986 the non-profit Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) national office was created to help support and coordinate efforts of state Operation Lifesaver programs, saving lives by sharing rail safety messages with audiences across the U.S. and beyond. OLI programs are active in 47 states and the District of Columbia. A national network of trained volunteers gives free rail safety presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI’s free Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) provides critical information for first responders when managing incidents around tracks and trains. Learn more about OLI and Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
