Four new rail safety decals have been installed at Markham GO Station and another 22 have been installed at seven rail crossings throughout the city to mark the beginning of Rail Safety Week.
“Incidents at railway crossings are tragically common across this country, and each one affects the victim’s family and friends, as well as railway employees, first responders and broader communities,” Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada said at the September 18 announcement.
“This program aims to make the public more aware of the hazards around rail crossings, which will hopefully save lives. We want people to slow down, look in both directions, listen for approaching trains, and obey all railway warning signs and signals.”
There were 159 collisions at railway crossings in Canada last year. Fourteen people were killed and another 27 were seriously injured. As part of its Look. Listen. Live. Community Safety Partnership Program, OL works with municipalities to identify locations where rail-safety decals can be installed to make pedestrians, cyclists and drivers more aware of the need to be vigilant around railway crossings.
Each bright yellow decal features a black silhouette of a train and the words ‘Look. Listen. Live.’ “The City of Markham is proud to partner with OL Canada to highlight the need for increased awareness on the hazards posed by rail crossings and to ensure our residents adhere to railways signs and warnings,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti says. “One life lost is too many and we remain committed as a city to keep our residents safe.”
OL Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, VIA Rail, Metrolinx and others. London and Vancouver, B.C. were the first Canadian cities to sign onto OL’s Community Safety Partnership Program in 2018. One hundred municipalities are now participating in the program.
City of Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea, Ward 6 Councillor Amanda Yeung Collucci, Roads & Survey Senior Manager Steven Dollmaier, and Road Operations Supervisor Jon Angrove are joined by representatives from Operation Lifesaver Canada, Hub Surface Systems, CPKC Police and Metrolinx at Markham GO Station. Photo courtesy of the City of Markham.
