The Point: “Find the Blue and White to Save Your Life”
Do you know what to do if your car gets stuck at a railroad crossing? You and your loved ones should leave your vehicle immediately!
Once at a safe distance, look for the Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign posted at or near an at-grade railroad crossing. The sign will list an emergency telephone number and the crossing’s U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) numbers. Call the toll-free telephone number and provide the operator the crossing number listed so they know your location and can alert local train traffic dispatchers. If you cannot find the ENS sign immediately, call 911. Operation Lifesaver, a national organization that works to reduce incidents and fatalities at rail crossings, reminds you, “Find the Blue and White to Save Your Life.”
Always be alert around rail crossings and remember:
- The only safe place to cross the railroad tracks is at a designated public crossing
- It can take a mile or more for a train to stop – the length of 18 football fields
- Railroad property is private property. It is illegal to be on railroad right-of-way unless you are at a designated crossing
- Trains hang over the tracks at least three feet in both directions. If you are next to the tracks, you can be hit
- Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing
- DO NOT cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing
Over the past few weeks, RCTC, through the Operation Lifesaver program, has participated in the Downtown Riverside Lunar New Year Festival, the Corona Kids and Cops Holiday event, the Moreno Valley Holiday Snow Day, and the City of Perris Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to remind communities about the dangers of railroad tracks. With schools back to in-person instruction and with more residents out and about in their communities, everyone needs to be alert around rail crossings.
Interested in a rail safety presentation for your child’s school or for a community group in Riverside County? RCTC is available! Our California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL) team of trained volunteers can schedule a free virtual or in-person presentation tailored for any grade level or public gathering. Please email your request to RailSafetyEducation@rctc.org or call RCTC at at 951-787-7141.