Putting professional drivers’ rail-safety knowledge to the test

Professional drivers play a critical role in connecting Canadian communities, and in moving Canada’s economy. 

But whether they’re driving a school bus, dump truck or 18-wheeler, ensuring their cargo and passengers arrive safely is all about staying alert and knowing the rules—especially around railway crossings. That’s why Operation Lifesaver (OL) has unveiled two new Train to Drive virtual-reality (VR) videos to test whether professional drivers know the rail safety rules.

“Vehicle-train collisions can happen in a split second — and the consequences can be tragic,” says Sarah Mayes, National Director of OL Canada. “In designing these Train to Drive videos, we tried to incorporate some of the real-world challenges that bus and truck drivers face near tracks and trains, to test their decision-making abilities in real time.”

Giving professional drivers’ the VR experience in the hopes of saving lives

The two new videos test drivers’ knowledge of what to do in life-threatening situations such as being stalled on train tracks or approaching a crossing with a heavy cargo in slippery road conditions.

“Our hope is that drivers, trucking and bus companies, driving schools, and even governments will use this program, and that OL’s Look. Listen. Live. rail safety message will resonate with them,” says Mayes.

The two new videos build on the success of the original Train to Drive VR videos. Designed for new and inexperienced drivers, these videos have been viewed 80,000 times since they were first launched in February 2019. OL is hoping the new videos have as much traction.

So, if you are a professional driver, put your rail-safety knowledge to the test and experience Train to Drive for yourself. Visit TraintoDrive.ca and click on the “Professional Driver” tab to play the embedded video. It could save your life.