Rail Safety Month: Navigating Railroads Safely

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The California State Legislature proclaimed the first Rail Safety Month in September 2009. The goal of Rail Safety Month is to bring awareness to the importance of following all safety regulations for both drivers and pedestrians. 

Why Is Rail Safety Month Important?

Operation Lifesaver estimates that a person or vehicle is hit by a train approximately once every three hours in the U.S. Accidents that occur when crossing or trespassing on railroad properties are highly preventable. 

Promoting Rail Safety Month is an opportunity to educate drivers of all ages on the importance of following established safety rules. The ultimate goal is to reduce the number of tragic accidents that occur on the nation’s railroad tracks. 

Know the Rules

One important way to promote rail safety is to know the rules and follow them. The most important rule is to never attempt to walk or drive across a railroad crossing when the arms are down. By law, all drivers and pedestrians must wait until the arms are upright and still before passing. 

If it has been a while since you first took driving lessons, you might benefit from these reminders:

  • Obey all signals and warning signs at railroad crossings
  • Never walk or ride a bike on railroad tracks
  • Do not stop on railroad tracks when crossing
  • Always stop and look both ways before crossing a railroad track

Lastly, never try to “beat” a train to the crossing. It can take up to a mile for a train to come to a complete stop. When you practice these safety measures regularly, you remind other drivers, pedestrians, and any passengers in your vehicle of the importance of rail safety. 

Drive Safely

To learn more about Railroad Safety Month and other ways to stay safe on the road, contact the team at Auto Safety Driving School. Visit our website or call (813) 875-4809 today. 

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Contact us today to start your journey towards safe and confident driving.

Reach out at (813) 875-4809 or go to our contact page for personalized assistance.