Well, it’s a new year—and after the one we just had, that’s something to celebrate! But 2021 isn’t just a chance to say goodbye to a year that was full of challenges. It also marks four decades since Operation Lifesaver Canada was formed to prevent tragedies on railway tracks and property.
Forty years ago, Canada’s railway companies joined forces with federal, provincial and municipal governments across the country to come up with a concrete plan to improve rail safety. The result was Operation Lifesaver. Officially launched at a ceremony in Ottawa on September 23, 1981, the program has been working to save lives ever since.
Marking 40 years of saving lives
OL’s mission is the same today as the day we were formed: preventing rail trespassing and crossing incidents that result in needless loss of life and injuries. By creating safety-conscious attitudes toward railways, promoting safe driving skills, and encouraging Canadians to adhere to railway warning signs and devices, we’ve seen fewer collisions and trespassing incidents, and fewer lives lost.
But we couldn’t have done it alone. Reducing the number of railway trespassing and crossing incidents is a team effort. We depend on our Rail Safety Ambassadors across the country to share our rail safety message with Canadians of all ages.
Shining a light on OL’s Rail Safety Ambassadors
Rail Safety Ambassadors are Canadians who share our belief that every rail crossing or trespassing-related death or injury can—and should—be prevented. They help us get our message out to the public through social media and by taking part in Operation Lifesaver events.
To celebrate our 40
th anniversary, we’ll be shining a light on the important work these volunteers do. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be launching a series of videos featuring some of OL’s Rail Safety Ambassadors and the life-saving work they do. Stay tuned to our
Facebook, Twitter or
Instagram pages in January and February for more information on these videos.
And if you aren’t a Rail Safety Ambassador yet, why not start 2021 off right and join today? Whether by sharing OL’s blog posts and tweets on your social media networks, giving rail safety presentations in person or virtually, or volunteering at events, you can help. Help us celebrate our 40
th anniversary by
signing up to be a Rail Safety Ambassador and start helping us save lives.