City reminding residents to be cautious around railways during 2018 Rail Safety Week

HAMILTON, ON – More than 100 Canadians die or are seriously injured each year in collisions at rail crossings or from trespassing on railway property. This week, the City of Hamilton is marking Rail Safety Week and is reminding residents of the dangers of crossing or trespassing on railway tracks.

As part of Rail Safety Week, the City of Hamilton and CP Rail have organized a special awareness event for students at Queen Victoria Elementary School in Hamilton. Students will spend a few hours painting large art boards that will be hung along the fence in Corktown to promote rail safety awareness. 

Date: Friday, September 28, 2018
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Location: Queen Victoria Elementary School, 166 Forest Avenue, Hamilton

Safety Tips:

• Speed misperception: Because of their size, trains appear to be much further away and travelling much slower than their actual speed. Don’t be fooled!
• Trains can't stop quickly: Trains can require over 2 kilometres to stop. Trains can stop, but they can’t stop quickly.
• Trespassing: Taking a shortcut across the tracks or being on railway property is illegal and can get you seriously injured or killed.
• Weight ratio: An average freight train weighs over 5.5 million kg. Compare that to a car, which weighs around 1.375 kg. A train hitting a car is like a car hitting a pop can.
• Railway cars: Stopped railway cars can start at any time. If you’re on one or near one when it moves, you could lose a limb, or your life.
• Tunnels and bridges: If you are caught trespassing in a railway tunnel or on a bridge with a train approaching, you will be struck. Railway tunnels and bridges are only designed for trains.
• Overhang: Trains can carry loads that are wider than the railway cars themselves. They can have chains, straps or other equipment swinging loose from the train. If you are standing too close, you could get hit.
• Anytime is train time: Trains do not always run on a schedule. They can run at any time on any track and come from either direction.

Additional Resources:

• LookListenLive.ca – includes a virtual reality tool that allows users to experience how railway danger can get real quickly.
• Operation Lifesaver