Rail Safety Advocates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico Urge the Public to #STOPTrackTragedies
10 Years of See Tracks? Think Train Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. / OTTAWA, Canada / MEXICO CITY, Mexico, Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) are leading a joint rail safety awareness campaign across North America from Sept. 21-27, highlighting the importance of making safe choices around tracks and trains. In 2025, more than 2,300 people across the U.S. were injured or killed in railroad crossing collisions or trespassing incidents—a devastating reminder of the critical need for rail safety education.
See Tracks? Think Train® Week in the U.S., known as Rail Safety Week in Canada and Mexico, reminds the public to be alert, and to take an active role in preventing track tragedies. Throughout the week, state Operation Lifesaver programs and safety partners across the U.S. will deliver rail safety education through community outreach, social media campaigns, news coverage and in-person events.
This concentrated week-long effort spotlights the importance of making safe choices around tracks and trains. “Safety advocates across North America are united in the common goal of saving lives,” said Rachel Maleh, Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. “We can all do something to help stop track tragedies, and it starts with knowing the facts, recognizing the signs and making good decisions. Join us by sharing the rail safety message this week or throughout the year! You can make a difference!”
This is the 10th anniversary of this awareness campaign in the U.S. Prior to 2024, See Tracks? Think Train® Week was known as Rail Safety Week.
The 2026 campaign features daily themes tailored to specific audiences. They are:
- Monday, Sept. 21: #STOPTrackTragedies Media Outreach Day, launching the campaign with proclamations and kick-off events bringing attention to the week and its message.
- Tuesday, Sept. 22: Operation Clear Track, emphasizing the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. Law enforcement and first responders across the U.S. and Canada will conduct awareness exercises, Officer on the Train activities and other in-person positive enforcement events, and will share rail safety education messages through social media, emails and website posts.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: Crossing Safety, emphasizing the importance of making safe choices where roadways cross railroad tracks, including the use of the Blue and White Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs.
- Thursday, Sept. 24: Transit Safety Thursday & Professional Driver Safety, sharing safe transit riding habits, information for driving on shared roadways with transit trains and critical guidance for truckers and professional drivers, as well as school bus drivers.
- Friday, Sept. 25: Volunteering with OLI and Red Out for Rail Safety, encouraging the public to become an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer and wear red in support of rail safety education.
- Saturday, Sept. 26: Trespass Prevention Day, targeting pedestrians, joggers, students and outdoor enthusiasts with safety messages about the dangers of being on or near the tracks.
- Sunday, Sept. 27: No Photo, Video or Selfie is Worth the Risk, warning content creators and amateur and professional photographers of the dangers of illegal photos or videos taken near tracks and trains.
“We are raising awareness and inspiring action,” Maleh added. “When people know the facts, they are empowered to make safe decisions to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.”
International rail safety partners echoed the urgency of the campaign.
“Rail Safety Week is an opportunity to get Canadians talking about rail safety,” said Chloé Devine Drouin, Director, Marketing and Engagement, Operation Lifesaver Canada. “For 45 years, Operation Lifesaver Canada has worked alongside partners and communities across the country to share knowledge that can save lives. Rail safety knows no borders, and our continued collaboration with Operation Lifesaver in the United States helps reinforce consistent safety messages and safe behaviours around railway tracks and crossings across North America.”
“Rail safety is a shared responsibility. At the Mexican Association of Railroads, we work continuously with our member companies to strengthen a culture of prevention and raise awareness about the importance of respecting signs, railroad crossings and the right-of-way. Working on prevention and maintaining an ongoing safety campaign week after week is an essential part of AMF’s mission. Joining this North American effort allows us to reinforce a common message: many rail incidents can be prevented through information, awareness and responsible decisions,” said Paulina Tellez, Director General of AMF.
Campaign assets, including public service announcements (PSAs), graphics and outreach materials, are available at the See Tracks? Think Train® webpage.
For information on how to get involved, access campaign resources or request a rail safety presentation, visit oli.org.
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About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a national #RailSafetyEducation nonprofit dedicated to stopping track tragedies through public awareness and education campaigns as well as a national volunteer network that gives free presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI supports the efforts of 47 state programs and the District of Columbia in sharing the rail safety education message. Explore OLI’s virtual library of rail safety materials on the oli.org website. Visit oli.org to learn more, take a rail safety pledge, request free presentations and volunteer. Follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X and YouTube.
About Operation Lifesaver Canada
Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2026, Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program and a partnership between Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada. Its mission is to save lives by educating Canadians about rail-safe behaviours and raising awareness of the risks associated with railway crossings and trespassing on railway property. Through national public awareness campaigns, community outreach, partnerships and its network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, Operation Lifesaver Canada works year-round to increase rail safety knowledge and reinforce safe behaviours around railway tracks and crossings. Learn more and access rail safety resources at operationlifesaver.ca.
About Mexican Association of Railroads/Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles
The Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) represents Mexico’s rail sector, bringing together the country’s leading freight and passenger rail companies, as well as suppliers and specialized companies serving the rail industry. AMF works in collaboration with its members, government authorities and strategic partners to advance rail safety, competitiveness, innovation and sustainable development in Mexico. Through its initiatives, AMF promotes information sharing, institutional collaboration and a stronger culture of rail safety. To learn more about AMF and its activities, visit www.amf.org.mx and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook.
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- 10 Years of See Tracks? Think Train Week
CONTACT: Katherine Connolly Operation Lifesaver 202-815-4340 [email protected]
