NCDOT Extends BeRailSafe to CTE Instructors
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
BeRailSafe, the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division (NCDOT) railroad safety education and outreach unit, is working with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to offer a new “train-the-trainer” program for high school instructors who teach CTE (Career and Technical Pathways Education) courses to students interested in emergency management, firefighter technology, 911 operations, law enforcement and emergency medical technology careers.
The training, NCDOT said, “will enable instructors to inject basic rail safety and general railroad awareness about private property and trespassing behaviors and incidents into CTE courses.”
“It’s critical we get this information to as many people as possible to make people aware of the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks,” said NCDOT BeRailSafe Program Coordinator Ain Flowers. “Our No. 1 goal is to save lives by preventing people from trespassing on railroad tracks. It’s illegal and it’s dangerous.”
The BeRailSafe program provides free rail safety training in all 100 counties of North Carolina to police, fire and 911 dispatchers as well as town and city planning and administration departments. Staff with the outreach program also promote rail safety statewide at festivals and events.
BeRailSafe promotes seven basic principles:
- Only cross railroad tracks at public crossings designated with either flashing red lights, a gate or a rail crossing sign.
- Railroad tracks are private property so people should never walk or bike on or near tracks. Trespassers can be arrested or fined—this includes walking or taking photos on the tracks.
- Tracks are not a shortcut. Never walk or bike on or near railroad tracks.
- Don’t drive around lowered gates at railroad crossings.
- Never stop a car on the railroad tracks. If stopping for a train at a traffic signal, be sure to stop safely behind the white line.
- If your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, get out and call the number on the blue and white sign posted on the crossing gate.
- It is important for parents to educate their kids to not walk, play or be on railroad tracks for any reason. It is illegal and dangerous.
