Dear editor:
I am a retired member of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Police Service and I live in Cochrane.
I have seen first-hand the effect that tragedies have on victim’s families, first responders, railway employees, their families and everyone involved. Railway-related tragedies cause permanent scars on entire communities. Every day in Cochrane, I see people trespassing, climbing or circumventing fences that were meant to keep them safe. I see drivers, cyclists and pedestrians use level railway crossings unsafely and illegally.
Last year in Canada, there were 57 rail-related fatalities. That’s 57 too many.
I work with Operation Lifesaver (OL), a national public rail safety group, to educate Canadians about hazards surrounding railway property and trains.
Through a partnership with railways, government, police, unions and media, we strive to spread the word about the preventable nature of incidents, community and employee impact and the importance of exercising rail safety.
This week, CPR, the Town of Cochrane and local RCMP have launched a #CochraneRailSafe campaign.
I ask that each person reading this pause to remember those who lost their lives this summer and pledge to make safe decisions around tracks and trains.
Help us spread the message that one incident is one too many by using the hashtag #CochraneRailSafe on social media.
David Boggiss, Operation Lifesaver, www.operationlifesaver.ca, #SeeTracksThinkTrain
