13 November 2006
CPR Police Service Promote Rail Safety in Lloydminster
Lloydminster Alberta - Lloydminster residents will be
getting a direct message about rail crossing safety and the need to stay off railway property. During the week of
13-17 Nov 2006, CPR police will be joined by other police agencies including local RCMP and City of Lloydminster in
conducting a rail safety awareness blitz at high-traffic rail crossings in the city.
"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 not obeying crossing
signals," said CPR Police Constable, Ron Chomyn. "We are asking people to use rail crossings appropriately and 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."
Chomyn said anyone charged under the federal Rail Safety Act faces a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail. As well, under
the Provincial Petty Trespass Act in Alberta the fine is $287 and disobeying rail signals at a crossing under the Traffic Safety Act
carries a fine of $220.
"We prefer educating people about the risks involved in trespassing, but we will use enforcement, if we feel such a deterrent is
required," he added. "What we are trying to avoid is a terrible incident from happening."
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, in 2005, 137 people were killed or seriously injured in Canada from incidents involving trains. For
the first nine months of 2006 across the country, 116 people have died or have been badly hurt at rail crossings or from being on rail
tracks.
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