Press Release

PUC Warns – ‘Don’t Take Selfies on Train Tracks’; Stresses National Railroad Safety Message

Published on 5/25/2016

Filed under: Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) joins with railroad safety agencies across the country in warning Pennsylvania residents – especially younger social media fans – about the dangers of taking “selfies” while on train track, or engaging in other dangerous behavior around railroads.

“Snapping photos of yourself and your friends in potentially hazardous locations is a growing national trend, especially for young adults, but it can have tragic consequences,” said PUC chairman Gladys M. Brown. “We join with our colleagues across the country in urging everyone to treat rail safety seriously.”

Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a national nonprofit rail safety education group, along with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), recently launched a new national safety awareness message – as part of their “See Tracks? Think Train!” campaign – to discourage people from taking photos on train tracks.

The release of this new safety message closely follows a January 2016 study by Priceonomics which noted that railroad tracks rank as the world’s third most deadly place to take a selfie. Since 2011, a total of 13 deaths and four injuries have resulted from people photographing on train tracks.

According to preliminary statistics from the FRA, last year saw an increase of 2 percent in overall trespass casualties across the country and 7.6 percent in trespass deaths. In Pennsylvania, there were 31 fatalities and 13 injuries involving people struck on railroad tracks during 2015.  So far this year at least 8 people have been struck and killed on railroad tracks across the state and 6 people have been injured.

The safety education campaign includes a new animated video public service announcement aimed at young audiences, who are at the highest risk, along with Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to bring the message to smart phone users on the social media outlets they visit on every day.

About Operation Lifesaver

Operation Lifesaver's mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of trained volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more safety information.

Rail Safety and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

The PUC supports and participates in Operation Lifesaver activities across Pennsylvania.  Additionally, the Commission’s rail safety inspectors work in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration to ensure the safe movement of trains throughout the state by checking tracks, equipment, operating practices, signals, grade crossings and the handling of hazardous materials, and PUC rail safety engineers oversees highway-railroad crossings throughout Pennsylvania – including approximately 5,600 public at-grade rail crossings in the state and 3,200 bridge crossings.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

# # #

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov