Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) announced it has released a new public service announcement (PSA) aimed at municipal workers, utility workers, and others whose jobs bring them near railroad tracks and crossings.

The PSA, Choose Safety First, is available in English and Spanish and encourages safe choices for these essential workers. 

Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train; over 60% of vehicle-train collisions occur at crossings with lights and or gates.

Preliminary statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration show 2,197 collisions between vehicles and trains at railroad crossings in 2022, as well as 1,175 pedestrian rail trespass casualties. 

"When work takes you near railroad tracks and trains, it's imperative that you make safe choices," said OLI executive director Rachel Maleh. “Choose Safety First highlights the right choices when working near trains and tracks arming workers with lifesaving information.”

Details of OLI's PSA

OLI’s new PSA shows workers in three rail-related scenarios: a landscaping crew member mowing grass near railroad tracks, a worker whose vehicle stalls on the tracks, and a surveyor attempting to get a specific line of sight.

All three vignettes are included in the 70-second PSA; three shorter versions show the individual scenarios. 

“Safety is our top priority because we believe that everyone – construction workers, commuters, and the traveling public – should be able to leave home knowing they’ll make it back safely,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “We are proud to partner with Operation Lifesaver on this campaign to improve safety for workers and all those whose lives come near to where roads and rails intersect.”