May 3, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --
MONTREAL, May 3 /CNW Telbec/ - With trespassing fatalities in Canada at a three-year high, CN (TSX:CNR) (NYSE:CNI) is marking Rail Safety Week through May 8, 2011, with a public awareness campaign that stresses the deadly risks of trespassing on railway tracks and property. CN Police are issuing a call to action with their SEE IT? REPORT IT! You Could Save a Life initiative, urging members of the public to call CN Police at 1-800-465-9239 if they witness unsafe behaviour on railway property.
"Disobeying railway crossing signals or trespassing on railway property is dangerous and illegal. We don't tolerate people who put their lives - and the lives of others - at risk. We are getting tougher about enforcing the law, and are engaging the public in helping CN Police fight unsafe activity," said CN Police Chief Stephen Covey. "Help us by reporting dangerous behaviour you see; you could save a life. At CN, when it comes to safety, there is no compromise."
CN Police will be out in full force during Rail Safety Week, conducting safety blitzes at commuter stations, CN intermodal terminals and railway crossings in Canada and the United States. This year, CN is increasing its focus on commuter stations, to target a larger audience of rail users, many of whom are parents who will be urged to pass on safety information to their children.
In 2010, there were 261 grade crossing and railway trespassing accidents across Canada, causing 79 fatalities and 47 serious injuries, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. A number of disturbing trends were seen in the 2010 statistics:
<<
- Fatalities and serious injuries in 2010 increased by 11 per cent and
27 per cent, respectively, over 2009 statistics.
- Trespassing remains the leading cause of rail-related fatalities in
Canada. Last year, the number of trespassing-related fatalities
increased by almost six per cent to 55, the highest level since 2007.
- Serious injuries as a result of trespassing increased in 2010 by almost
19 per cent, to 19.
- More than 91 per cent of trespassing incidents in 2010 resulted in
fatalities (67.9 per cent) or serious injuries (23.5 per cent).
>>
Faced with the growing seriousness of the trespassing issue, CN Police are undertaking a targeted, year-round endeavour focused on reducing trespassing incidents, fatalities and injuries. Recognizing that youth become more vulnerable to risk-taking behaviour around the ages of 13 and 14, CN Police will be intensifying outreach to this youth group. In addition, CN Police across the system will work to identify the highest risk areas for trespassing in their territory and develop targeted strategies to reduce incidents.
"The consequences of trespassing can be tragic and CN Police are very concerned to see that dangerous behaviour on railway property is on the rise," said Covey. "Through a combination of education and targeted enforcement, including the issuing of more tickets, we will work to change attitudes and behaviour."
Operation Lifesaver and its partners created Rail Safety Week in 2003 to raise public awareness of the potential dangers at highway/railway crossings and from trespassing on railway property.
CN has been promoting railway safety for more than 25 years through its All Aboard for Safety community education program. Every year, CN Police officers make hundreds of All Aboard for Safety presentations and talk to more than 300,000 children and adults at schools and community events in Canada and the United States about the importance of safety and the dangers of walking or playing on or near railway tracks. Part of the strength of this program is the collaborative relationship with major community safety partners Operation Lifesaver, Safe Kids Canada, Safe Communities Canada and SMARTRISK.
CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI) - Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries - spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company's website at www.cn.ca.
<<
Link to photos:
http://www.newscanada.com/cn-see-it-report-it-images
Link to video: http://newscanada.com/tvasx/nc4460.asx
>>
For more information about the CN safety blitzes in your area, see the attached list.
<<
Available on satellite:
Video News Release will be available via satellite on Tuesday
May 3, 2011 at 10:00 - 10:30 and again at 14:00 - 14:30 Eastern
Anik F2C/3B
Download Freq: 3820MHz V
Audio subcarriers 6.8 left, 6.2 right
For assistance with the feed call: 1-800-565-1471
Video News Release also available via download Tuesday May 3, 2011
Click here to access broadcast quality footage
http://www.newscanada.com/mpgdownload.asp?id=4460
Please contact cdillon@newscanada.com if you do not have your Login ID and
Password.
2011 Safety Blitz Locations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRITISH COLUMBIA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kamloops Puett Ranch Enforcement 04/05/11 10:30 to 11:30
Road Crossing and Safety
(Rayleigh Blitz
area)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kamloops Tranquille X Enforcement 06/05/11 13:00 to 14:00
Ord Roads, and Safety
Railway Blitz
Crossing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kamloops McLean Street Enforcement 06/05/11 14:00 to 15:00
Railway and Safety
Crossing Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ladner 5016, 44th Ladner 06/05/11 17:00 to 20:00
Avenue Elementary
Fundraiser
for CN All
Aboard for
Safety Booth.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Langley 19705 Fraser Community 07/05/11 08:00 to 17:00
Highway Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Boundary Road Enforcement 03/05/11 10:00 to 12:00
George Railway and Safety
Crossing Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince Boundary Road Enforcement 06/05/11 08:00 to 15:00
George Railway and Safety
Crossing Blitz. J.F.O.
with Prince
George R.C.M.P.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richmond Number 5 Road Officer on the 04/05/11 09:00 to 12:00
Crossing - Train.
located mid- Travelling over
way between several
Vulcan Way and crossings.
River Road
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrace Kenny Road Enforcement 02/05/11 12:00 to 14:00
Railway and Safety
Crossing Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrace CN Terrace Officer on 03/05/11 11:00 to 13:00
Yard the Train.
3007 Kalum Travelling over
Street several
crossings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrace Sub. Station Enforcement 04/05/11 08:00 to 12:00
Road Railway and Safety
Crossing Bltiz. J.F.O.
With R.C.M.P.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver 1100 Station VIA Rail Station 04/05/11 08:00 to 12:00
Street - Pacific
Central Station.
Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
White Rock 15299 Pacific R.C.M.P. 08/05/11 11:00 to 15:00
Avenue Detachment Open
House, Safety
Blitz.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALBERTA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton 138th. Avenue, Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 06:30 to 08:00
Cross Street, Commuter L.R.T.
50th Street Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton 121 Street Safety Blitz 03/05/11 06:30 to 08:00
Cross Street VIA Rail Station
Yellowhead
Trail
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANITOBA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg 123 Main Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 08:00 to 10:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg 123 Main Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 20:00 to 22:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg Pembina CN Yard, 04/05/11 09:00 to 11:00
Highway X Trespass
Parker Avenue Enforcement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg 123 Main Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 08:00 to 10:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg 123 Main Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 20:00 to 22:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONTARIO
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brampton 7575 Kennedy Peel Safety 02/05/11 09:30 to 10:00
Road South Village
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brampton Mississauga Enforcement and 04/05/11 19:00 to 21:00
Road North of Safety Blitz
Bovaird Drive
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brampton 7575 Kennedy Peel Safety 04/05/11 09:30 to 10:00
Road South Village
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brantford 5 Wadsworth Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 07:00 to 08:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brantford 5 Wadsworth Safety Blitz - 03/05/11 07:00 to 08:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brantford 5 Wadsworth Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 07:00 to 08:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brantford 407 Elgin Brant Safety 06/05/11 13:00 to 13:30
Street Village
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brockville Perth Street Enforcement and 04/05/11 09:00 to 11:00
Crossing Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burlington 1151 Bronte Halton Safety 04/05/11 09:30 to 11:30
Road Village
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capreol Young Street X Enforcement and 03/05/11 09:00 to 11:00
Bloor Street Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cornwall 1650 Station Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 10:00 to 12:00
Road VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fort Frances Hwy 11 Enforcement and 06/05/11 08:00 to 10:00
(Couchiching Safety Blitz
1st Nation)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grimsby 99 Ontario Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 14:30 to 15:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
London 205 York Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 07:30 to 08:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
London 205 York Safety Blitz - 03/05/11 07:30 to 08:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
London Rectory Street Enforcement and 03/05/11 11:00 to 12:00
Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longlac Picnic Point Enforcement and 04/05/11 13:00 to 15:00
Road near the Safety Blitz
mill
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississauga Lorneparke Enforcement and 06/05/11 14:00 to 16:00
Road Safety Blitz
South of
Lakeshore Blvd.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oakville 200 Cross Safety Blitz - 03/05/11 08:30 to 09:30
Avenue VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oakville 200 Cross Safety Blitz - 04/05/11 17:30 to 18:30
Avenue VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oshawa 915 Bloor Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 16:00 to 17:00
Street West VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sault 4th Line X Enforcement and 06/05/11 12:00 to 14:00
St. Marie Peoples Road Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stouffville 3291 York Safety 02/05/11 09:30 to 10:00
Stouffville Village
Road
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stouffville 3291 York Safety 04/05/11 09:30 to 10:00
Stouffville Village
Road
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thunder Bay James St South Enforcement and 05/05/11 14:00 to 16:00
Safety Blitz on
South Swing
Bridge
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Pottery Road X Enforcement and 04/05/11 13:00 to 15:00
Bayview Avenue Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welland 300 Woodlawn Niagara Region 05/05/11 09:30 to 13:30
Road Children's Safety
Village
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUEBEC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deux Boul. Deux Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 15:00 to 17:00
Montagnes Montagnes AMT Train Station
Deux Montagnes,
J.F.O. with Deux
Montagnes Police
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal Boul. Henri Safety Blitz - 04/05/11 07:00 to 09:00
Bourassa AMT Train
Station,
Bois Franc
J.F.O.
with Montreal
Police
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal Boul. Henri Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 07:00 to 09:30
Bourassa AMT Train
Station, Du
Ruisseau J.F.O.
With Montreal
Police
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal Rue de la Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 15:00 to 17:00
Gauchetiere AMT Train
Ouest Station Lucien
L'allier
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal Rue de la Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 15:00 to 18:00
Gauchetiere VIA Rail Station
Ouest
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Québec / Avenue des Enforcement and 02/05/11 09:30 to 10:30
Charny Églises Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Québec 450 rue de la Safety Blitz - 03/05/11 13:00 to 13:30
Gare du Palais VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Québec Avenue Plante Enforcement and 04/05/11 13:00 to 14:00
Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Québec Boul. Père- Enforcement and 05/05/11 09:30 to 10:30
Lelièvre Safety Blitz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Québec / 3255 chemin de Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 13:00 to 13:30
Ste-Foy la Gare VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW BRUNSWICK
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moncton 1240 Main Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 10:30 to 12:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moncton 1240 Main Safety Blitz - 02/05/11 15:30 to 17:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moncton 1240 Main Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 10:30 to 12:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moncton 1240 Main Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 15:30 to 17:30
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
City Street Activity Date Start/Finish
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVA SCOTIA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax 1161 Hollis Safety Blitz - 03/05/11 09:00 to 16:00
Street VIA Rail Station
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax/ 110 Wyse Road Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 09:00 to 16:00
Dartmouth Dartmouth
Sportsplex
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax/ 110 Wyse Road Safety Blitz - 05/05/11 18:00 to 20:00
Dartmouth Dartmouth
Sportsplex
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax/ 110 Wyse Road Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 09:00 to 16:00
Dartmouth Dartmouth
Sportsplex
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax/ 110 Wyse Road Safety Blitz - 06/05/11 18:00 to 20:00
Dartmouth Dartmouth
Sportsplex
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halifax/ 110 Wyse Road Safety Blitz - 07/05/11 10:00 to 16:00
Dartmouth Dartmouth
Sportsplex
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/
For an interview with the CN Police Chief, contact: Media Contacts: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba: Warren Chandler, Manager, Public and Government Affairs, (780) 472-3732; Ontario: Frank Binder, Manager, Public and Government Affairs, (905) 669-3128; Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick: Julie Senécal, Manager, Public and Government Affairs, (514) 399-4048
