Press Release “Let the Train Pass! You are Expected Home for Christmas!”
[image_frame style=”framed_shadow” align=”left” title=”Let the Train Pass, You are Expected Home for Christmas” height=”350″ width=”250″]http://ole.ee/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ole_joul2012_a4-en.jpg[/image_frame]The railway safety campaign “Let the Train Pass! You are Expected Home for Christmas!” started.
The goal of the railway safety campaign starting today is reminding motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians to pay attention whilst crossing railways in order to make it home safe for the Christmas holidays. The campaign is organised by NPO Operation Lifesaver Estonia and lasts from December 10 through December 26.
Campaign picture: http://ole.ee/?p=5569
“Christmas is the time when we think more the usual about our relatives and friends. But why should we bother making plans and preparing gifts if we can easily cease to exist due to not paying attention on railway tracks,” said Tamo Vahemets, Chairman of Management Board of NPO Operation Lifesaver Estonia. “This is why OLE and its partners have been reminding before Christmas to all drivers and pedestrians that crossing railways is dangerous and demands particular attention, especially in harsh winter conditions when visibility is poor and vehicles’ braking distance much longer than usual.“
Tamo Vahemets explained that majority of railway accidents have been caused by the negligence of motor vehicle drivers or pedestrians. People tend to think “I can make it before the train gets here”. “People should understand that trains move on fixed routes and when there is something in their way they cannot change it. Sometimes it is not even possible to reduce the driving speed. Avoiding collisions mostly depends on persons crossing railways,” said Vahemets. “With this campaign we want to contribute in making sure that all Christmas wishes and greetings are delivered without problem.”
Anvar Salomets, Deputy Director General of the Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority, explained that it is extremely important that people would notice trains and assess correctly their moving speed. “The new year brings new trains to Estonia and everybody should pay even more attention. The usual habits of train passengers and people crossing railways must change, as the new trains move much faster and are much more quiet,” added Salomets.
Riho Tänak, Superintendent of the Traffic Bureau of the Estonian Police and Boarder Guard Board, said that the police would support OLE’s campaign also through its traffic surveillance activities. “We monitor the behaviour of drivers and pedestrians at railway level crossings and point out potential dangers and violations,” said Tänak. The Superintendent also reminded that red lights prohibit crossing railways not only for vehicles but also for pedestrians and bicyclists.
During this year’s “Let the Train Pass! You are Expected Home for Christmas” campaign are published the advertising materials prepared by OLE that feature the brother and sister whom we already know from the previous years. They are probably on their way to grandmother and grandfather who are waiting for them with a decorated Christmas tree and delicious gingerbread. Their lucky arrival would depend on all of us who cross railway daily by car or by foot. Let us hope they will!
In addition, OLE uses in its campaign the video and audio clips prepared last year where a father drives to his family that is waiting for him. Although his trip takes him across railway everything works out fine and the brother and sister known to us already will meet their loved father.
OLE also continues making railway safety presentations in schools.
The campaign is organised under the auspices of the European Traffic Safety Charter and it is supported by: AS Eesti Raudtee, AS EVR Cargo, AS Edelaraudtee, Police and Border Guard Board, Technical Surveillance Authority, Road Administration, AS Elektriraudtee
[divider]
Additional information:
Tamo Vahemets, Chairman of Management Board of OLE
E-mail: tamo@operationlifesaver.eu
Tel: +372 504 5112
[divider]
OLE (www.ole.ee) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 by the initiative of AS Eesti Raudtee (Estonian Railways) with the mission to increase considerably public awareness about dangers involved in railway traffic and lawful behaviour on railway, with the purpose to reduce the number of railway accidents and people killed and injured in such accidents.