On Tuesday, Sept. 25 as part of the Rail Safety Week (RSW) observance, Sept. 23 through 29, California Operation Lifesaver, the nonprofit rail safety education organization, joined with Amtrak and more than 500 local, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments for “Operation Clear Track.” The focus was to raise awareness and enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws in 48 states across the U.S.

“Operation Clear Track” was the largest single law enforcement railroad safety operation ever attempted in the U.S.

During “Operation Clear Track,” California law enforcement personnel – including those from the Escalon Police Department in neighboring Escalon – were stationed at targeted railroad grade crossing incident locations to hand out railroad safety cards to motorists and pedestrians, and issue warnings and citations to violators. The goal of Rail Safety Week is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks through increased public awareness.

Escalon Police were scheduled to be stationed at railroad crossings on First Street and Highway 120 in that community at various times throughout the day.

Statistics show that about every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. “Operation Clear Track” is an effort by California Operation Lifesaver, Amtrak and rail safety partner organizations to raise awareness of the need for caution near train tracks during Rail Safety Week, which is being observed in the U.S. and Canada from Sept. 23 through 29.

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 the public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more at oli.org; follow OLI on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.