Canadian Pacific reminds students and teachers: Stay off the tracks, stay safe

CALGARY, Sept. 6, 2016 /CNW/ - With the return of the school year, Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) is reminding students, parents and caregivers that the safe route to school does not include trespassing on railway property.

From September 7-14, CPPS will be conducting its annual "Back to School Rail Safety Campaign" across Canada and the U.S. Officers will be paying extra attention to public railway crossings and railway rights-of-way in and around school zones.

"As students head back to school, we must remind them that any route that includes illegally and dangerously crossing railway tracks is the wrong route," said Ken Marchant, CP Police Chief. "Parents, teachers and caregivers must lead by example and educate about the dangers associated with railway property and equipment."

According to Transportation Safety Board statistics, from January to July in Canada this year, there have been 29 trespasser fatalities and eight crossing fatalities. This compares to 31 trespasser fatalities and 10 crossing fatalities in all of 2015.

"The increase in trespassing-related deaths in the last seven months is extremely concerning to us," said Sarah Mayes, Operation Lifesaver's National Director. "These incidents have a huge impact on families, friends, communities and railway employees, and they're entirely preventable – if people would just heed the warnings around railway property."

Year-round, Operation Lifesaver, a safety partnership with railways and other safety groups, helps to deliver the message that when people "See Tracks" they should "Think Train".

This year, an extra challenge has presented itself with Pokemon GO.

"With the launch of Pokemon GO this summer, geo-tagged sites have appeared where train operations and related activities occur leading to increased rates of trespassing on CP property," said Marchant. "We continue to remind the public about the hazards of playing Pokemon GO, and that tracks and trains are a 'No-Go Zone'."

For more resources on practicing rail safety, including materials for teachers of various age groups, please contact Operation Lifesaver at www.operationlifesaver.ca or follow them on Twitter and Facebook @OpLifesaver.

Note to editors:
Interviews with CPPS members are available by request.
Rail safety tweets, b-roll, and photos available on www.cpr.ca.

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific CPCP is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.

About CP Police Service
The CP Police Service (CPPS) is a fully accredited police agency operating in both Canada and the U.S. created by Federal Statute with full federal, state and provincial powers. CPPS officers are peace officers as defined by the Criminal Code. The CPPS plays an important role by contributing to public safety and enforcement activities in the communities where Canadian Pacific operates. CPPS officers promote public safety through trespasser abatement patrols, enforcement of traffic legislation at and near railway crossings and participation in education activities to raise awareness of community safety issues. The CPPS also help to protect the critical infrastructure of Canada and the U.S. by ensuring supply chain integrity and ensuring the operational efficiency of the transportation network.

About Operation Lifesaver
Established in Canada in 1981, Operation Lifesaver is a national public-rail safety program sponsored by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada. Through partnerships with provincial safety councils, police, railways, the trucking industry and community groups, Operation Lifesaver is dedicated to saving lives by educating Canadians about the hazards surrounding highway/railway crossings and trespassing on railway property.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific