Omaha, Neb., December 11, 2013 With winter in full swing, Union Pacific Railroad reminds drivers to follow good winter driving habits and arrive safely at your destinations during this holiday season.
"Too many people have been injured or killed over the years driving too fast during winter weather conditions," said Ron Tindall, safety general manager at Union Pacific. "We want to remind drivers to slow down when winter weather conditions - snow and/or ice - are present on the roads."
"Reducing your speed and allowing plenty of time to come to a complete stop is especially important near grade crossings. It can take a mile or more to stop a train, and by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it is too late to stop. If you're driving too fast for the slick conditions you won't be able to stop in time to avoid running into the path of, or into the side of, a moving train at a crossing," added Tindall.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 271 people died and 930 were injured in 2012 in grade crossing incidents across the United States. The Department of Transportation studied accident reports over a 10-year period and found 94 percent of public grade crossing accidents were caused by risky driver behavior, such as driving around activated automatic gates. Union Pacific urges drivers and pedestrians to use caution near railroad tracks and offers the following rail safety tips:
In an effort to educate the public about grade crossing and pedestrian safety, UP established the Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety (UP CARES) program, which brings together communities in a collaborative and caring effort to promote railroad grade crossing and pedestrian safety. Union Pacific is committed to fostering public safety through various outreach channels, such as community events, paid advertising and media outreach, education and enforcement activities and coordination with Operation Lifesaver. UP CARES activities include:
Do not become a statistic; slow down when there are winter weather conditions present and never race a train to the crossing.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
Union Pacific media contact: Mark Davis, 402-544-5459 or mwdavis@up.com
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