1st Global International Rail Safety Awareness Day

Operation Lifesaver releases new E-Learning for Professional Truck Drivers

TROY, Mich., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On June 9, 2011, Michigan Operation Lifesaver in partnership with every state in the US and international partners in Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia are joining in the very first global rail safety awareness day.  Our international partners, who call railroad crossings Level Crossings, face the same tragic fatalities and injuries with driver and pedestrian incidents with trains.  This first-of-its-kind global partnership brings worldwide awareness about the dangers associated with highway-rail intersections and along the railways.  

During this week and especially during June, Michigan Operation Lifesaver is promoting several safety activities, including offering our presentations in Drivers Training classes, adult groups, school bus drivers, professional truck drivers, civic organizations, Fire and EMS Departments, and Law Enforcement, offering free rail safety education.  

"The objective, using school bus drivers as an example," said Sam Crowl, State Coordinator for Michigan Operation Lifesaver, "is to ensure school bus drivers never place themselves or our most precious cargo in a dangerous position."  Crowl said, "When you tie with a train, you lose every time."  Violating drivers are subject to a $250.00 fine and 30 days in jail and most likely the loss of their job.

On June 9th the national Operation Lifesaver office releases another first, a new E-Learning program challenge for professional truck drivers.  When heavy trucks collide with trains, the results can be catastrophic not only for those involved but an entire community.  Using a computer, this E-Learning program places the participant in the cab of a truck on a moving route encountering a variety of situations involving railroad crossings.  Participants have choices and decisions including speed of the vehicle, stopping, hazard lights, rolling windows down, looking left and right, turning the radio down or not engaging in a cell phone call to name a few.  

Participants failing to exercise safe driving behavior using this new E-learning program may be struck and killed by the train or cited into court.  "The whole concept," said Crowl,  "is to teach safe behaviors" and if collisions or citations occur, they happen on the computer not with a train.

The E-Learning program for professional drivers is available in two formats: a free version that anyone can access online at www.oli.org, or trucking companies can obtain the program through Operation Lifesaver and integrate it into their training programs.  Trucking companies who obtain the program can use it as a tool to determine strengths and weakness of their drivers.  Truck drivers who successfully complete the program can be part of the E-Learning "Hall of Fame."

Every three hours in the US, a person or driver has an incident with a train.  Crowl offered a few important safety reminders for everyone to utilize not only on June 9, 2011, but every day.

• The Railroad CROSSBUCK means YIELD – you must yield the right-of-way to the train.
• Always expect a train, at any time, any direction and on any track.
• Never race a train to the crossing—when you tie, you lose!
• Never drive around lowered gates!  It's illegal, dangerous and could be deadly.
• Don't get trapped on the tracks.  Get out of the car and move away from the tracks.  Call 911 or the railroad phone number posted on the Emergency Notification Sign located at the crossing.
• Trains can't stop quickly!  A freight train traveling at 55 mph may take over one mile to stop.

Contact:
Sam A. Crowl
State Coordinator, Michigan Operation Lifesaver (248) 823-7037

SOURCE Michigan Operation Lifesaver