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September 18, 2023
Dear Subscriber,
This week (September 18 through September 24) is Rail Safety Week in North America and the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) reminds you of the dangers that occur near rail activity.
Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. In Maryland each year, on average 23 people are killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents. The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Operation Lifesaver are committed to helping reduce the number of fatalities and injuries that occur around tracks and trains and to prevent needless incidents from happening.
The MPA’s state-owned, public terminals have active rail activity on a daily basis and we want to remind you to follow these safety tips when crossing rail tracks both inside and outside of our terminals:
1. Stop, look both ways, and listen. Know that trains always have the right of way.
2. Don’t stop on the tracks. Make sure you have room to get across. Once you enter the crossing, keep moving.
3. Stop 15 feet away from flashing red lights, lowered gates, a signaling flagman or a stop sign.
4. Never drive around a lowering gate or ignore signals.
5. After a train passes, wait for gates to fully rise and for all lights to stop flashing before your cross.
6 Never assume that there is only one train coming from a single direction.
7. If your car stalls on a track, quickly get everyone out — even if you don’t see a train coming. Run away from the tracks and your car to avoid being hit by flying debris. Call the number on the blue emergency notification system sign. If the sign is not visible to you, call 911.
Knowing and remembering these tips can save the lives of you and others. For more information on rail safety, please go to https://oli.org/
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