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Stay Alive When You DriveOperation Lifesaver Safety Video Offers Drivers Railroad Crossing TipsStay Alive When You Drive, the latest training video from the non-profit rail safety education group Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org), provides professional truck drivers with the information they need to drive safely at highway-rail crossings. Preliminary 2008 statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration show there were 373 collisions between tractor-trailer trucks and trains at highway-rail grade crossings last year, down from 492 in 2007. “We recognize the enormous responsibilities faced by our professional trucking partners,” said Helen Sramek, President, Operation Lifesaver. “It’s a tough job that we’d like to make a little easier and safer. Operation Lifesaver is working with its state program safety leaders across the country and professional driver training organizations to ensure that this training video reaches the greatest number of drivers.” The fast-paced video provides critical tips to help commercial drivers avoid these collisions. Scenes in the video include several serious crashes that illustrate the high stakes drivers face at crossings. One scenario shows the vast number of distractions - pagers, GPS systems, laptops, and, cell phones - that can divert drivers’ attention from the road. An excerpt of the video is available at: http://oli.org/training/professional_drivers.htm Safety managers from the professional trucking community, including Werner Trucking and Roehl Trucking, served as advisors on the video. Six Safety Tips for Truck Drivers 1. At 55 mph, it can take a mile or more to stop a train. 2. Stop no closer than 15 feet (one car length) from the crossing. If you are in traffic, don’t start if you can’t safely clear the crossing. 3. Note the overhang – both for your truck and the train – of 3 feet or more. 4. Make sure that trailer jacks are in the up position - non-retracted trailer jacks can cause trailers to become stuck on crossings. 5. Cell phones are the top distraction for all drivers. 6. If you get stuck at the crossing, get out, call the 800 number posted at the crossing, or call 911 to alert local trains of your position. Please email
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