The CN police service is encouraging Saskatchewanians to exercise caution around train tracks.
“I want the public to understand you never want to race a train to the crossing,” said Constable Hank Neumiller. “Even if it’s a tie, you still lose.”
Neumiller, who’s served with the CN police service for years, pointed out how it takes trains a mile to fully stop. Even if train operators see something or someone on the tracks, they might not have enough to completely stop before they make contact.
Since train tracks cross through the heart of Yorkton, Neumiller suggests cars in traffic stay 15 feet away from the tracks during red lights or congestion.
“If you can’t fit, don’t commit,” he said.
If your car does break down on a track, Neumiller recommended finding a yellow sticker behind the crosswalk sign (which is shaped like an “X”). The sticker contains contact information for the railway owners along with the track’s location.
“[The sticker’s] got the most important information you’ll ever need,” he said. “They can stop the trains in that area.”
Neumiller told people to use their common sense around train tracks so everyone can make it home safe.
“At the end of the day, we want everybody to be safe,” he said. “Look out for each other.”
Further information on railway safety can be found at www.cn.ca/en/safety/cn-police-service/.
