OLDS — A bright yellow and black decal has been installed at the 50th Street railway crossing in Olds in the hope it will prevent serious accidents – even save lives.
It was installed by Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada, in partnership with HUB Surface Systems and the Town of Old as part of OL’s Look. Listen. Live. Community Safety Partnership program.
Each decal features a black silhouette of a train, as well as the words “Look. Listen. Live,” which is OL’s important rail-safety message.
The goal of the decals is simple: to prevent tragic crossing incidents by making pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers more aware of the need to be vigilant around railway crossings.
Every year, dozens of Canadians are killed or seriously injured in collisions at railway crossings. In fact, there were 129 such incidents in Canada in 2020, which killed 18 people and seriously injured another 12.
“Sadly, virtually all these tragedies were preventable,” a Town of Olds news release says.
Through the program, OL works with municipalities to identify locations where rail-safety decals can be installed to remind people to be more keenly aware of the danger posed by railway crossings.
“Incidents at railway crossings are tragically common across this country, and each one affects the victim’s family and friends, as well as railway employees, first responders and broader communities,” said Sarah Mayes, national director of Operation Lifesaver Canada.
"This program aims to make the public more aware of the hazards around rail crossings, which will hopefully save lives.
“We want people to slow down, look in both directions, listen for approaching trains, and obey all railway warning signs and signals.”
Vancouver, B.C., and London, Ont., became the first Canadian cities to sign onto the Community Safety Partnership Program in 2018, and were swiftly followed by seven more municipalities in 2019, and 36 additional communities in 2020.
“Rail safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re pleased that so many communities have joined forces with us to promote it through the Community Safety Partnership Program,” she said.
“We hope to build on the program’s momentum, and work with even more municipalities to spread the rail-safety message and save lives.”
