Utah Transit Authority celebrates Rail Safety Week
Sep 26, 2024, 1:30 PM
FILE - A train moves to a stop at the Utah Transit Authority TRAX station at 600 Main Street in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Transit Authority is continuing their Rail Safety Week in an effort to educate pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and riders.
The annual week is formerly known as Rail Safety Week, according to Operation Lifesaver, the rail safety education website. Nationally, the week is now known as “See tracks? Think train week.”
“In 2023, more than 36 railway incidents resulted in nearly 12 fatalities and 11 injuries in Utah alone,” UTA said on its website. The hope of UTA is to lower those numbers in 2024 with the help of Rail Safety Week.
UTA Captain Jason Peterson said now more than ever, it’s important to be alert around railroad tracks of any kind.
“It’s a crowded time of the season with all of the events going on downtown,” Peterson said. “Christmas is on the approach, there’s football games, students are back in school.”
Peterson added that the biggest problem UTA crews see is distractions.
“Their nose is in the phone, they’re walking, oblivious to their surroundings,” Peterson said.
Events related to Rail Safety Week
UTA has a couple of events left scheduled for this year’s safety week.
Firstly, on Thursday UTA has listed on its website that UTA Police and its K9 unit will be at Murray Central Station. This event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. During the event, police will meet with the public to teach people how to stay safe on UTA vehicles and its property.
Secondly, on Friday Utah Operation Lifesaver is on the schedule to educate students and the public on railroad crossing safety. Locations for this event include West Field High School, Roy High School, Clearfield High School, West High School, Murray High School and Jordan High School.
