Operation Lifesaver releases rail safety materials for news media
WASHINGTON, DC, April 2, 2020 – A new animated video and fact sheet now available from Operation Lifesaver, Inc.(OLI), the national nonprofit rail safety education organization, offer resources for the news media on how to report safely near railroad tracks and property.
“These new materials for news media provide rail safety tips for any reporter covering a story that may involve being near railroad tracks or property,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train. We are sharing these tools to educate the news media and prevent incidents.”
OLI’s new video, titled “How to Safely Report Near Railroad Tracks,” along with the accompanying fact sheet, provide reporters and other members of the news media with must-know information on how to best prepare for arrival upon the scene of a rail incident that involves being near railroad tracks or property. The materials are available on the Media page of OLI’s website.
Funding for production and distribution of the video and the fact sheet was provided by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
“In addition to keeping themselves safe when reporting stories near railroad tracks, we encourage members of the news media to model safe behavior and reiterate the importance of rail safety to the general public,” Maleh continued. “We are grateful to the support of our safety partners at the FRA for making these new materials available, and we look forward to sharing the video and fact sheet with the people and news organizations who need it most,” she concluded.
About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a nonprofit 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. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, See Tracks? Think Train! provides tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. OLI leads an international observance of Rail Safety Week each September. Learn more about Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
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