NCOL To Hold Crossing Blitz in Gastonia, Mt. Holly GASTONIA, NC, May 24, 2016 -- NC Operation Lifesaver and local law enforcement agencies will be conducting two rail safety "crossing blitz" operations in Gaston County to spread the message to local drivers about safety at railroad crossings. Representatives of the Piedmont & Northern (P&N) Railroad, NC Operation Lifesaver, BeRailSafe, and the police departments of Gaston County, Gastonia, Lowell, Ranlo, and Mount Holly, along with the Gaston County Sheriff's Office, will speak with drivers to review safety procedures at rail grade crossings in two locations. P&N is particularly eager to get the message out about its planned increase in both the number and speed of its trains along their route from Mount Holly to Gastonia. This eight-mile stretch of track parallels the Norfolk-Southern and Amtrak routes through Gastonia, and crosses roadways at 30 public and private locations. More frequent trains traveling at increased speed raises the possibility of more frequent and severe collisions as drivers are caught unaware. Law enforcement also plans to stress the need for citizens to be aware that all tracks are private property, and trespassing on or near tracks, tunnels or bridges is dangerous and illegal. William Bartosh, General Manager of the Piedmont & Northern Railroad, said, "It is so important to get this safety message. We want everyone to be safe -- drivers, pedestrians, and our railroad staff. Our thanks to Operation Lifesaver, BeRailSafe, and local law enforcement for helping with this critical safety initiatives." The Gaston County crossing blitzes are scheduled to take place at the following times: Tuesday, May 24, from 1 to 2:30 pm at the P&N Crossing in Ranlo, at the intersection of NC-7 and Cox/Spencer Mountain Road; Wednesday, May 25, from 10 to 11:30 at the P&N crossing on Highland Avenue in Mount. Holly.
North Carolina Operation Lifesaver notes increase in 2015 crossing collisions; pedestrian-train casualties fell from 2014 levels Click here for statistics: Preliminary Rail Crossing and Trespass Statistics, 2015 vs. 2014 RALEIGH, NC, April 28, 2016 – Collisions at highway-rail grade crossings collisions in North Carolina rose by 28 percent in 2015 and rail trespass casualties (deaths plus injuries) fell according to the nonprofit rail safety education organization North Carolina Operation Lifesaver. The group cited preliminary 2015 Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) statistics. Nationally, vehicle-train collisions and deaths at highway-rail grade crossings fell in 2015, along with injuries to people trespassing on train tracks, while the number of trespassers killed on train tracks rose compared to 2014, as did the number injured as a result of crossing collisions,, according to Margaret Cannell, NC Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator.. Overall, North Carolina crossing collisions were up 28.8 percent in 2015 from 2014, to 67; crossing fatalities rose 40 percent to 8; and crossing injuries rose 27 percent to 95 FRA statistics reveal. Many of those injuries occurred during a derailment incident early in 2014. Trespass fatalities dropped 21 percent in 2015 to 15, and trespass injuries rose 18 percent from 2014 to 13. Operation Lifesaver's mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety. Learn more at Operation Lifesaver of North Carolina’s Facebook page or Twitter #OL_NC or at http://www.oli.org.
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STATE NEWS RELEASES :: Friday, February 27, 2015 NCDOT 2015 Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program Funding Supports Projects Statewide.... more info :: Friday February 6, 2015 February Rail Report....view :: Thursday, December 11, 2014 NCDOT Makes Improvements to Pitt County Rail Crossings....more info