Operation Lifesaver announces winner of "Bad Move" PSA write your own ending contest

WASHINGTON, DC, November 21, 2011 – Operation Lifesaver, Inc.,(OLI, www.oli.org) the national, nonprofit rail safety education organization, today announced the winner of its write your own ending contest for the Bad Move pedestrian safety public service announcement. The PSA, which tells the story of a young couple who choose a dangerous place to walk, targets ages 16-34 with a goal of reducing pedestrian-rail trespass injuries and deaths (view the PSA at www.oli.org).   The winning idea, “Faithful Companion,” was submitted by Tiffanny Walsh of Ridgewood, NY.

“The submissions we received for our Bad Move PSA write your own ending contest were thoughtful and creative,” said Operation Lifesaver President Helen M. Sramek. “Ms. Walsh’s winning idea helps people realize that walking on or near train tracks doesn’t just affect you, but can mean tragedy for the ones you love.”

“Faithful Companion” was judged the most original ending that incorporated a safety message embodying the mission of Operation Lifesaver. Ms. Walsh’s entry underscores the fact that many people are affected when individuals make the choice to trespass on train tracks. Ms. Walsh will receive two round trip coach class tickets on Amtrak to anywhere the passenger train goes. Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) provided the tickets in the interest of promoting rail safety. The Federal Railroad Administration (www.fra.dot.gov) provided Operation Lifesaver’s grant for the campaign, which was designed to reach out with a rail safety message targeted to high-risk pedestrians.

Honorable Mentions in the contest went to Steve Butler, College Park, MD; Jessie Bakker, Lakewood, CA; and Suzanne Smith, Graniteville, VT.

A photographic interpretation of Ms. Walsh’s detailed ending will be posted on the OLI Facebook page (www.facebook.com/operation.lifesaver) in the next few weeks. An edited version of Ms. Bakker's entry was used as a new end slate on the Bad Move PSA. See the PSA athttp://oli.org/video/view/bad-move-2 or http://bit.ly/sl0B0H.

Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org) is a national, non-profit safety education group whose goal is to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights of way. It has programs in all 50 states with trained and certified presenters who provide free talks to raise the public’s safety awareness around tracks and trains.

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