The CN Police Service is reminding residents to cross rail tracks at designated points and not wherever they want since the shortcut could lead to trains injuring or killing people.
The police service has been particularly concerned about residents crossing the rail line near the Hillcrest Golf Course between Main Street and Happy Valley Park to reach the nearby commercial and shopping districts, explained Const. Dean Solowan. The organization is working with the golf course to post signs as part of a deterrence and education campaign.
“A quick walk up and over (the tracks) is $300 (for trespassing). We’d like to educate over education through enforcement,” he continued. “But unfortunately, sometimes it’s gotta go that way if we can’t get the community on (board) with the dangers.”
While only three trains run across that track every week, this can lead to complacency, Solowan continued. This can also lead to a domino effect, where one person starts doing it, and then families do it and then children — who lack danger awareness — follow suit. These little ones are then likely to get hurt by a passing train.
Many people have started walking outside since the pandemic has forced them to isolate or physically distance themselves from others. Sometimes those walks can take people near railway property, but to walk along or over the tracks at non-designated areas is illegal and against the law. Even attempting to get close to a passing train to take a picture will lead to a financial penalty.
Solowan has heard all of the excuses for why people cross the tracks, but he noted they are all still inexcusable and reveal the wrong mindset that people possess.
“We wouldn’t tell people to go play on the road,” he remarked.
In 2019 in Canada, there were 230 incidents involving railway crossing and trespassing incidents, with 66 deaths and 46 serious injuries, according to the website Operation Lifesaver. In Saskatchewan, there were 28 incidents, with eight deaths and seven injuries.
So far this year in Canada, there have been 73 incidents, including 24 deaths and 13 injuries. In Saskatchewan, there have been two incidents and one death.
“It’s a little tragic reminder to stay away from the tracks,” said Solowan.
Residents should have the proper mindset and cross train tracks at the right access points to set an example for others, he continued. It might be tempting to take a shortcut, but that leads to people using those undesignated access points more often. While there might not be a train during the first three times you cross the tracks, one could fly by on the fourth crossing and leave you injured or dead.
“Any time could be train time,” added Solowan.
For more safety information, visit www.stoptracktragedies.ca or www.operationlifesaver.ca. Colouring sheets for kids can be found on the Operation Lifesaver website, while its Facebook page has other important resources.
