The sound of a train horn is part of daily life in Lacombe, but police are reminding residents that the tracks are no place to take risks.
Rail Safety Week runs Sept. 15–21, with the goal of spreading awareness and saving lives.
Const. Nicholas Sahl, with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) police in Edmonton, said many people underestimate the speed and power of trains.
“They are putting themselves in danger by being on the tracks,” Sahl said. “Trains are really fast on the tracks and people don’t realize how fast it can be going through town.”
The consequences extend beyond safety. Railway tracks are private property, and trespassing or breaking the Railway Safety Act can lead to fines of up to $25,000.
“Just the provincial trespassing ticket is $600 and then the Railway Safety Act is up to $25,000,” Sahl said.
Drivers are urged never to gamble at crossings. Trains weighing more than 5.5 million kilograms can take over two kilometres to stop. For pedestrians, the advice is straightforward: stop, look and listen.
“We tell everybody to stop, look and listen,” Sahl said. “Look both ways before you cross and listen for the trains. There are places in Alberta where there are corners before the crossings.”
He added that “anytime is train time,” reminding residents that schedules change, speeds vary, and the risks remain.
More information about Rail Safety Week can be found through Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit dedicated to rail safety.
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