NYAR Celebrates Rail Safety Week September 19-25, 2022

Glendale, NY — September 19, 2022 — Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA) Is joining New York Operation Lifesaver, Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) from September 19-25 to observe Rail Safety Week in North America and urging the public to help #STOPTrackTragedies.

As part of Rail Safety week, new video, and audio public service announcements (PSAs) as well as social media campaigns are being released. An ongoing campaign called #STOPTrackTragedies features videos with the personal stories of people directly affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents — including victims, friends and family members, locomotive engineers, and first responders. The full campaign can be viewed at oli.org/stop-track-tragedies or stoptracktragedies.ca.

“Our goal during Rail Safety Week is to educate the public that going around a lowered rail crossing gate or trespassing on railroad tracks can have fatal consequences,” said James Bonner, president of NYA. “While September 19-25 is a week dedicated to highlighting the dangers of crossing railroad tracks, our long-term goal is to bring the number of rail crossing and trespassing-related deaths and injuries to zero.”

“We are pleased to be part of Rail Safety Week 2022,” said James Nunes, Manager of Operations Support, NYA, and a board member of the New York State Operation Lifesaver Board of Directors. “We urge truck drivers, delivery drivers, ride share service drives, and all motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, traveling near railroad tracks and trains to practice common sense and be alert for oncoming trains at all times. Our priority is promoting safe interactions between railroads and the community.”

“Rail Safety Week concentrates the public awareness and education campaigns that occur all year long across the country into one jam-packed week. Each day this week, Operation Lifesaver state programs will share rail safety messages in support of our core mission – to save lives,” said Rachel Maleh, Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. “Each day focuses on a different audience with customized rail safety messages in support of our core mission – saving lives. This annual event brings together Operation Lifesaver state programs, North American safety partners and our partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation along with the many other organizations who share the rail safety message – this week, and all year round.”
Everyone can help by taking – and sharing – the Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Pledge,” Maleh continued. “Together, we can #STOPTrackTragedies.”

About Operation Lifesaver, Inc.Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” provides tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more about Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
About New York & Atlantic RailwayNew York & Atlantic Railway began operation in May 1997 due to the privatized concession to operate freight trains on the lines owned by Long Island Rail Road. The railway serves a diverse customer base and shares track with the densest passenger system in the United States. New York & Atlantic Railway connects with C.P., CSX, NYNJ, NS, and P.W. For more information about New York & Atlantic Railway, please visit https://www.anacostia.com/railroads/nya.