FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wayne Gentry, Kentucky Operation Lifesaver, 502-693-3167, www.bwgentry75@gmail.com
Jessica Puchala, Operation Lifesaver, Inc., 703-739-0308, news@oli.org
Kimberly Woods, Amtrak, 202-906-3860, MediaRelations@amtrak.com
Kentucky’s “Operation
Clear Track” Set for September 25 During Rail Safety Week
On Tuesday,
September 25 during the Rail Safety Week (RSW),
September 23-29, Kentucky Operation Lifesaver, the
nonprofit rail safety education organization, will join with Amtrak and more
than 460 local, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments
for "Operation Clear Track" to raise awareness and enforce
railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws in 48 states across the U.S. “Operation
Clear Track” will be the largest single law enforcement railroad safety
operation ever attempted in the U.S.
During
“Operation Clear Track,” Kentucky law enforcement personnel will be stationed
at targeted railroad grade crossing incident locations to hand out railroad
safety cards to motorists and pedestrians, and issue warnings and citations to
violators. The goal of Rail Safety Week is to reduce pedestrian
and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks through increased
public awareness.
WHAT: “Operation Clear Track”
Police enforcement/education event to be held in 48 states at railroad grade
crossings that have a high number of vehicle and/or trespasser incidents.
WHERE/WHEN:
Lagrange Kentucky at various
crossings from 11:00 AM til 3:00 PM
WHY: Federal statistics show that about every three hours in the United States,
a person or vehicle is hit by a train. “Operation Clear Track” is an effort by
Kentucky Operation Lifesaver, Amtrak and rail safety partner organizations, to
raise awareness of the need for caution near train tracks during Rail Safety
Week, which is being observed in the U.S. and Canada September 23-29, 2018.
MORE INFO: Visit Operation Lifesaver’s national website for safety tips and statistics: www.oli.org; visit
the Rail Safety Week
landing page for infographics, safety tips, and more; or contact Kimberly.Woods@amtrak.com
or 202-906-3860 for more information on “Operation Clear Track.”
About
Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Operation Lifesaver
is a non-profit 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 the
public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn
more at oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
