ORANGE, Calif., Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of U.S. Rail Safety Week, the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner will host an educational event featuring rail safety experts from California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL) on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Petco Park prior to the San Diego Padres game against the Colorado Rockies. CAOL volunteers will staff a rail safety education booth at the Park at the Park, which opens at 11:00 a.m. Attendees will have a chance to learn valuable tips for staying safe around railroad tracks, including those used by the Pacific Surfliner between San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
September is Rail Safety Month in California and September 24 – 30 is U.S. Rail Safety Week across the nation. Californiaranks No. 1 in the nation in incidents involving trespassers on the railroad tracks, with 191 incidents in 2016, a 38.4 percent increase from the prior year, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
"People continue to walk, exercise and take pictures on or near railroad tracks, all of which are illegal and extremely dangerous activities," said Tony Kranz, chairman of the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, which oversees the Pacific Surfliner service. "It's important for us to educate people on ways to keep themselves and their loved ones safe around railroad tracks."
Most incidents are preventable by following simple safety rules, including staying alert near train tracks and crossing only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Pedestrians are also urged to never walk on train tracks, and remember that trains always have the right of way and cannot stop quickly to avoid obstacles.
For more information or to request a free rail safety presentation, visit: www.pacificsurfliner.com/safety, www.caol.us or www.oli.org
About the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels along 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 31 stations. To learn more, visit PacificSurfliner.com.
About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency
The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency manages the Pacific Surfliner service in close coordination with its member agencies, Amtrak and Caltrans.
CONTACT:
LOSSAN Agency
Michael Litschi
714 560.5581 mlitschi@octa.net
California Operation Lifesaver
State Coordinator
Nancy Sheehan-McCulloch
530 832.0683 nsheehan.caol@sbcglobal.net
Amtrak Media Relations
Vernae Graham
510 238.4360 grahamv@Amtrak.com
SOURCE Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner
Related Links
http://www.pacificsurfliner.com/