Thursday, June 7th, 2012 is International Level Crossing Awareness Day. The Canadian Pacific Police Service is joining the Davenport Police Department in reminding drivers and pedestrians of the dangers of entering a railroad crossing without looking or listening for trains.
"People needlessly expose themselves to serious risk when they enter a railroad crossing without looking for trains," said Ray Holman, Deputy Chief of U.S. Operations with CP Police Service. "By drawing attention to this issue, we're out to save lives."
Today, Police will be conducting safety and enforcement blitzes at Canadian Pacific crossings on Schmidt Road and South Concord off River Drive from 7am to 3pm.
In 2011, the Federal Railroad Administration recorded 1,965 crossing incidents, resulting in 249 fatalities and 977 serious injuries. The numbers do not include the many near-collisions that take place every year.
Not only is it dangerous, but trespassing on railway property or failing to yield to the right-of-way to an approaching train at a crossing is illegal. Both actions are offenses under state ordinances.