Officials promote rail safety on ENS Sign Awareness Day

APEX —  Staff with the state’s railroad safety campaign are reminding people to be careful and attentive at railroad crossings.

That was the message N.C. Department of Transportation officials and others delivered during a BeRailSafe event held in Apex on Wednesday June 24, which was the second annual National Emergency Notification System Sign Awareness Day.

Staff with NCDOT, Operation Lifesaver, Amtrak Police, the Apex Police Department and Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert hosted a “crossing blitz,” greeting motorists as they pulled up to the Hunter Street railroad crossing and thanking them for practicing safe driving behaviors and complying with grade crossing laws.

Officials reminded motorists to:

• Never stop on the railroad tracks. If stopping for a train at a traffic signal, be sure to stop safely behind the white line.  
• Only cross railroad tracks at public crossings designated with flashing red lights, a gate or a rail crossing sign. 
• Don’t drive around lowered gates at railroad crossings. 
• If you see an emergency, get out of your vehicle and call the phone number located on the blue and white emergency signs at railroad crossings.

The BeRailSafe program provides free rail safety training to police and fire departments and 911 operators in all 100 counties of North Carolina. Staff with the outreach program also promote rail safety statewide at festivals and events.  

BeRailSafe also teaches that all railroad tracks are private property, and trespassers can be arrested or fined. People should never walk, bike, play or take pictures on railroad tracks.