JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safety is CSX’s highest priority, and this week the railroad is partnering with the non-profit Operation Lifesaver, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), other freight railroads, Amtrak, commuter rail-service providers, customers and law enforcement agencies across its 23-state network to raise awareness about how to be safe around railroad tracks. Through public events, informational displays and social media messages during the week of Sept. 25-30, CSX (Nasdaq: CSX ) is working to reduce the number of crossing accidents in the communities where it operates.
“The safety of our employees and the communities where we operate is CSX’s top priority, and one collision involving a vehicle or pedestrian is one too many, ” said Sean Douris, chief of police for CSX. “Our goal is zero accidents, and we believe education is the best tool to prevent these types of incidents. CSX is committed to reaching as many people as possible with the information they need to keep themselves safe around railroad tracks.”
A person or vehicle is hit by a train about once every three hours in the U.S., according to Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a national educational organization dedicated to rail-safety awareness since 1972. While the number of collisions each year has dropped 83 percent in the past four decades, federal statistics show 265 people died in 2016 in collisions with trains.
The goal of Rail Safety Week is to reduce these types of collisions and save lives by raising awareness about how to safely cross railroad tracks. Throughout the week, CSX representatives will join in this national initiative and focus on directly reaching drivers, pedestrians and rail passengers with important rail-safety tips.
“We are proud to participate in the very first Rail Safety Week , ” said Douris. “The scale of this safety outreach, in partnership with other railroads, non-profits and law enforcement agencies, is unprecedented in the rail industry. Working together to share life-saving information with the communities where we operate, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact on rail safety in our country.”
CSX has developed a comprehensive Rail Safety Week plan designed to reach people of all ages and amplify rail safety messages through a grassroots social media campaign. The plan includes:
- ‘Safety blitzes’ at grade crossings where CSX representatives partner with local law enforcement agencies to reach drivers and pedestrians with safety information.
- Passenger rail station outreach focusing on rail passengers, in partnership with commuter rail service providers and Amtrak.
- Rail safety presentations at schools and community organizations.
- Rail safety outreach and giveaways at college campuses near CSX tracks.
- Targeted social media campaigns for areas on the CSX network that experience heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic crossing the tracks.
- Social media messages, materials and hashtags for employees, customers and community members to share and help spread the word about rail safety. Materials are available at: www.csx.com/railsafetyweek
- The launch of two new rail safety public service announcement videos created by Wide Angle Youth Media, a Baltimore, Md., non-profit that uses media arts education to engage young people. To watch and share videos, visit: www.csx.com/RailSafetyStories
Each year, CSX dedicates considerable time and resources on raising awareness about how to safely cross railroad tracks through our Play It Safe program, which involves non-profit partnerships, community outreach and various sponsorships. For more on this program, visit www.beyondourrails.org .
About CSX CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook ( http://facebook.com/OfficialCSX ) and follow us on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/CSX ).
Contact : Rob Doolittle 202-626-4939 Rob_Doolittle@csx.com
