On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, during See Tracks? Think Train^® Week, Sept. 23-29, The Dixon Police Department will join with national rail safety education nonprofit Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), the Amtrak Police Department and hundreds of local, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments and other first responders for Operation Clear Track to raise awareness and enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws across the U.S. 

During Operation Clear Track, first responders will be stationed at targeted railroad grade crossings and other locations sharing the rail safety message with their community. The Dixon Police Department will have an extra presence near the railroad grade crossings at East A St. and North 1^st St.  

 The goal of See Tracks? Think Train^® Week and Operation Clear Track is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks through increased public awareness. 

 Federal statistics show that every 3 hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Operation Lifesaver, Inc. offers the following rail safety tips for drivers and pedestrians:

1. Freight trains don't travel at fixed times. Schedules for passenger trains often change. Always expect a train.
2. All train tracks are private property. Never walk on tracks; it's illegal trespass and highly dangerous.
3. It takes the average freight train traveling 55 mph more than a mile—the length of 18 football fields—to stop. Trains cannot stop quickly.
4. The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or 200 tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car. We all know what happens to a soda can hit by a car.
5. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time over pedestrians and vehicles, including police and emergency vehicles.
6. Trains overhang tracks. Stay 15 feet back from the tracks. Always assume railroad tracks are in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks unused.
7. Trains can move on any track, in either direction at any time. Sometimes its cars are pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled, which is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
8. Trains are quieter and moving  faster than you think – only trains belong on the tracks Today's trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale "clackety-clack." 
9. Remember to cross train tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings, and obey warning signs and signals posted there.
10. Stay alert around railroad tracks. Refrain from texting, using headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train; never mix rails and recreation. 

Operation Clear Track is an effort by Operation Lifesaver Inc., Amtrak Police, law enforcement partners and other first responders across the nation raising awareness of the need for caution near railroad tracks and trains from Sept. 23-29 during See Tracks? Think Train^® Week in the U.S. and Rail Safety Week in Canada and Mexico. 

Visit the See Tracks? Think Train^® Week landing page and Operation Lifesaver, Inc.’s website for safety tips and statistics. Contact news@oli.org or MediaRelations@amtrak.com for more information on Operation Clear Track.