(The following story by Osvaldo Rodriguez appeared on the Laredo Sun website on February 1, 2010.)
NUEVO LAREDO — “Make a complete stop, look, listen, and then cross,” is what anyone who is about to pass a railroad crossing in their vehicle, on foot, or any other type of light weight vehicle should do.
Edgar Guillaumin Ireta, Deputy Director of Institutional Relations of Kansas City Southern (KCS), the railroad company, talked about the importance of creating a culture of respect for the train, with the aim of reducing the number of accidents.
“Putting it into simple words, to respect the train you should just stop completely when going through a railroad crossing, because the train can’t stop even if we want it to stop, there are just too many tons in movement, and they can’t be stopped,” Guillaumin mentioned.
He also recommended for the youngsters and the children not to put metallic objects on the railroad tracks hoping the train squeezes them, because these objects can be projected out so rapidly that they act like a bullet, and can even kill someone passing by.
Guillaumin also mentioned that KCS is committed with the communities hoping they are able to tolerate and respect the train.
Following their commitment KCS has created several ways to help the citizenry avoid crossing the railroad tracks; these include steps, bridges, or a relief road.
KCS is also working with a security program called “Alto Total” (Operation Lifesaver), which is included in their yearly budget, and it aims at creating awareness among the community to respect the railroad tracks and the train.
The company has a train cart called “Kabus” that is equipped with different audiovisual materials, where they impart the security program.
The program has been working for several years and it has already trained emergency personnel, public transportation operators, as well as children, and they also take them on a ride on the Kabus, while they teach them and show them videos.
“We are the only company in Mexico, in all the railroad industry, that has this program, and we have seen the communities respond, especially children, and personnel from Civil Protection, Traffic Police, Firefighters and Police, and for us this is very important,” the Director of Institutional Relations explained.
In Nuevo Laredo they are planning on reactivating this program during the first semester this year, and they plan on having “Kabus” visit the city.