In the Interest of Safety• Operation Lifesaver Presents: 1

Operation Lifesaver Presents:

In the Interest of SafetyCorona City Council September 2, 2015 Eliza Echevarria, Public Affairs Manager

Perfect Partnership

• RCTC has formed strong partnership with California Operation Lifesaver and Metrolink to promote rail safety acrossRiverside County

• The agencies’ mutual safety goals create perfect fit to promote rail safety education

• Multiple rail lines cross Riverside County; dangerous behavior seen countywide by pedestrians, motorists

• Operation Lifesaver is non-profit, educational organization with a mission to end collisions, deaths and injuries at grade crossings and on railroad property through nationwide network of volunteers who educate people about rail safety

• Program uses various strategies, including education, engineering and enforcement to change behaviors and save lives

• “See Tracks? Think Train” is latest OLI educationalcampaign

Goals, Strategies

• About every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States

• In 2013 in the U.S., 908 pedestrians were killed or injured while walking on or next to railroad tracks

Sobering Statistics

• In 2013, California led nation in rail crossing/trespassing injuries and deaths

• RCTC is implementing rail safety outreach in Riverside County

• Comprehensive program began last year to prepare for newPerris Valley Line service in Riverside, Perris

• Additional outreach to occur in Corona, Jurupa Valley and surrounding areas with many railroad crossings

• Targeting students, parents, businesses with school assemblies, booths, social media, contests, banners, ads, more

RCTC’s Outreach

• Appreciate Corona’s help to spread the word to communityabout rail safety and very real dangers of trespassing on railroad right of way

• Remind children and adults alike that railroad tracks are dangerous and it’s illegal to trespass

• Remind motorists to not try to “beat the train” and to wait until gates are raised and lights stop flashing at rail crossings

How You Can Help

For More Information

rctc.org oli.org metrolinktrains.com

Eliza Echevarria Public Affairs Manager

Riverside County Transportation Commission

(951) 787-7141 eechevarria@rctc.org

Sara LoganAssistant State Coordinator

California Operation Lifesaver(951) 442-9491 slogan.caol@aol.com