(The following story by Carol Sanders appeared on the Winnipeg Free Press website on April 28.)
WINNIPEG — Kicking off Rail Safety Week, CN announced today that it will enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy toward all those who trespass on railway property.
“Trespassing has gotten out of control,” said CN spokeswoman Robyn Wise.
Offences include: walking on or beside railway tracks; taking a shortcut across railway tracks or railway property; driving a bike, a car, an ATV or a snowmobile on or beside railway tracks; and entering railway yards at any time.
Since 2001, there has been a steady increase in trespassing incidents, serious injuries and fatalities, while numbers for crossing accidents are steadily improving, according to Wise.
In recent years, the number of trespassing accidents has increased from 83 in 2005 to 92 in 2006 and 100 in 2007, she said.
“A lot of it is complacency,” Wise said. “There are people who will drop their children at a railway crossing to save a few blocks” on the drive to school.
The consequences of trespassing can be deadly, she said, recalling recent fatalities involving people trespassing on railway property.
“In Toronto last week, a teen was walking his dog. Someone was sitting on the tracks in Hope, B.C.”
More than 90 per cent of accidents result in either fatalities or serious injuries, said Wise.
CN will be on the lookout for trespassers, who will be prosecuted, warned Wise. She didn’t know the value of the fine for trespassing on railway property in Manitoba as it varies from place to place, she said.
Although the number of accidents at level crossings is decreasing, CN will blitz motorists and hand out information at crossings throughout the city to help raise awareness of rail safety and the perils of trespassing, said Wise.
“We’re working with RCMP and local police to stop every single car and pedestrian going across to speak to drivers and pedestrians and give them a flyer,” she said.
In Winnipeg, safety blitzes are taking place at the following railway crossings:
Today: Kirkbridge Drive, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Navin Road, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Chevrier Boulevard 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday: Bournais Drive 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday: Charleswood Road, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.