On Tuesday, September 25 during Rail Safety Week, September 23-29, Amtrak and more than 500 local, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments partnered with California Operation Lifesaver, the nonprofit rail safety education organization, for “Operation Clear Track”. The goal of the operation is to raise awareness and enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws in 48 states across the U.S. “Operation Clear Track” was the largest single law enforcement railroad safety operation ever attempted in the U.S.
During “Operation Clear Track,” California law enforcement personnel were stationed at targeted railroad grade crossing incident locations to hand out railroad safety cards to motorists and pedestrians, and issue warnings and citations to violators. The goal of Rail Safety Week is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks through increased public awareness.
The Ventura Police Department was at the following railroad grade crossings from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Harbor Blvd and California Street and Harbor Blvd and Figueroa Street.
Federal statistics show that about every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. “Operation Clear Track” is an effort by California Operation Lifesaver, Amtrak and rail safety partner organizations to raise awareness of the need for caution near train tracks.
