Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada’s goal is a simple one: to save lives by spreading the rail safety message to all Canadians. One of the ways we do this is through our
“Look. Listen. Live.” Community Safety Partnership Program.
This national initiative encourages municipalities to install “Look. Listen. Live.” decals on the pavement near select railway crossings. These bright yellow and black decals help to alert pedestrians, cyclists and motorists of the need for caution around railway crossings.
“This program is a way for us to work with municipalities to help make the public more aware of the hazards associated with tracks and trains,” explains Sarah Mayes, National Director, Operation Lifesaver Canada. “The decals act as a constant reminder to residents that they need to be extra vigilant around railway crossings. It’s all about saving lives.”
Helping to create safer communities
The first decals were installed in Vancouver, BC, back in 2018. Since then, 69 communities have signed onto the program. As part of Rail Safety Week 2021 (September 20 to 26), OL is pleased to announce that it will be unveiling decals in 29 communities across the country—from Wetaskiwin, AB, to Halifax, NS.
This year’s list also includes a town that knows all too well the importance of exercising vigilance around rail crossings: Weyburn, Sask. In August 2018, 16-year-old Kailynn Bursic-Panchuk died after her car was hit by a train at a level crossing outside of Weyburn. Kailynn had been using her phone’s GPS to navigate and didn’t see or hear the train coming. Her tragic story is the subject of one of Operation Lifesaver’s poignant
#STOPTrackTragedies campaign
videos.
The Community Safety Partnership Program is one of the many ways that OL is working with communities to prevent tragedies like Kailynn’s from occurring. Today, OL also launched a new
Signs and Devices page on its website that features new interactive, animated graphics to help educate road users and pedestrians on how to safely approach rail crossings. In addition, OL’s
Community Toolkit features pamphlets, videos and social media graphics that communities can use to raise awareness about rail safety with residents.
To find out how your community can get on board with OL’s Community Safety Partnership Program and other rail safety initiatives, check out OL’s
website or
contact us for more information.