As warmer weather arrives, Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org), the rail safety education nonprofit organization, is urging professional photographers to refrain from taking photos of high school seniors, wedding parties, and other clients and/or subjects on train tracks or trestles.
"We know that photographers seek creative portrait settings; however, using train tracks as a backdrop for photos is not only dangerous, it is illegal trespassing,” said Operation Lifesaver, Inc. President and CEO Joyce Rose.
A teacher who taught art and photography was struck and killed by a train while taking photos on the tracks late in 2012. In response to tragic and preventable incidents like this, Operation Lifesaver has worked with Professional Photographers of America on rail safety education outreach to the professional photographer community.
Operation Lifesaver has six “must-know" tips for professional photographers considering a photo shoot near railroad tracks:
1. Trains can’t stop quickly to avoid people or vehicles on the tracks.
2. An optical illusion makes it hard to determine a train's distance from you, and its speed.
3. The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet.
4. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and rights-of-way are private property.
5. No tracks should be assumed to be abandoned or inactive.
6. People in your community mimic your behavior.
North Carolina Operation Lifesaver wants to recognize, on its website, professional photographers who make a pledge never to take photos on train tracks or trestles, so if you are as committed to safety education as we are, please complete the form below.
"We know that photographers seek creative portrait settings; however, using train tracks as a backdrop for photos is not only dangerous, it is illegal trespassing,” said Operation Lifesaver, Inc. President and CEO Joyce Rose.
A teacher who taught art and photography was struck and killed by a train while taking photos on the tracks late in 2012. In response to tragic and preventable incidents like this, Operation Lifesaver has worked with Professional Photographers of America on rail safety education outreach to the professional photographer community.
Operation Lifesaver has six “must-know" tips for professional photographers considering a photo shoot near railroad tracks:
1. Trains can’t stop quickly to avoid people or vehicles on the tracks.
2. An optical illusion makes it hard to determine a train's distance from you, and its speed.
3. The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet.
4. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and rights-of-way are private property.
5. No tracks should be assumed to be abandoned or inactive.
6. People in your community mimic your behavior.
North Carolina Operation Lifesaver wants to recognize, on its website, professional photographers who make a pledge never to take photos on train tracks or trestles, so if you are as committed to safety education as we are, please complete the form below.