Rail Safety Week / Volunteers in Action

Rail Safety Week is an annual collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc.(OLI), state Operation Lifesaver programs, and rail safety partners across the USA, Canada and Mexico. OLI’s mission is to empower the public to make safe choices when driving or walking near railroad tracks and trains.

Why is Rail Safety Week so important? Because more than 2,100 people are killed or seriously injured annually in crossing and trespassing incidents in North America. In 2021 alone there were neary 900 deaths in the United States.

A person or vehicle is hit by a train in the USA every THREE HOURS.

The vast majority of railroad fatalities and injuries are due to crossing collisions and incidents involving pedestrians trespassing on tracks. These incidents are preventable and public awareness plays a key role in fostering community rail safety.

Last year’s observance of Rail Safety Week throughout Wisconsin and North America reached millions of people through events and activities, as well as digital media campaigns and other online messaging. Each day focused on a different safety theme, such as crossing safety and trespass prevention.

Monday: #STOPTrackTragedies
Tuesday: Operation Clear Track: Law Enforcement, First Responder Partnerships
Wednesday: Crossing Safety
Thursday: Transit Safety & Professional Driver Safety
Friday: Volunteer to #STOPTrackTragedies & Wear Red for Rail Safety
Saturday: Trespass Prevention
Sunday: No Photo/Video/Selfie is Worth the Risk

Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver kicked off 2022 Rail Safety Week at the Amtrak station in Tomah, and during the week volunteers were in St. Croix County for crossing enforcement, Madison for an "Officer on the Train" event, and Milwaukee to ride Amtrak and talk to passengers about being safe at the platforms. Volunteers went to Neenah and handed out Red t-shirts in Fritz Park, Warrens to speak to patrons at Cranberry Fest, and Appleton for Octoberfest on the Kid's stage. Sunday's activities (focused on photographers) were postponed due to inclement weather and will be rescheduled Spring, 2023.

While collisions between vehicles and trains in Wisconsin have decreased over the last few years, a person is still over 20 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured versus a collision involving two cars. We need YOUR help to bring the number of preventable tragedies closer to zero!

Save the date for the next Rail Safety Week,

September 18-24, 2023

Together, we can #STOPTrackTragedies!