4 October 2005
CPR Police Service Promote Rail Safety in Brandon
Brandon - Canadian Pacific Railway Police are sending a direct message to Brandon residents
about rail track safety. On Wednesday, 5 Oct 2005, CPR police officers conduct a day-long safety blitz along
the CPR right-of-way between the First Street and 18th Street overpasses.
"As part of the awareness-building, pedestrians will learn more about being safe around rail tracks and the serious
consequences for those who are not. Sadly, we encounter too many people still using the tracks as a pathway or crossing them
dangerously," said CPR Police Constable, William Carlson. "We are asking people to stay away from the tracks, because not
only is being on CPR's right-of-way against the law; it's a danger with the potential for deadly consequences."
CPR supports Operation Lifesaver, which is a national public education program sponsored by the Railway Association of Canada and
Transport Canada and works in co-operation with the Canada Safety Council, provincial safety councils, railway companies,
unions, police, public and community groups. Its goal is to reduce the needless loss of life, injuries and damages caused by
highway-railway crossing collisions and pedestrian-train incidents. According to Operation Lifesaver, 101
people were killed or seriously injured from pedestrian-train collisions in 2004 in Canada, including six people in
Manitoba. So far in 2005, there have been 58 pedestrians who have died or seriously injured, including six deaths or injuries in
Manitoba.
However, Constable Carlson said there are many "near misses" that go unreported. "The saying "train time is
anytime" is very relevant since a train could be in the area at any time of the day," he added. "By working together
with residents and the local community, we hope to make more people aware of our serious safety message and avoid a tragic situation
from taking place."
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