Today, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Joe Giulietti and Operation Lifesaver held a press conference and proclamation event to kick off Rail Safety Week 2022 and help raise greater safety awareness to reduce collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians and save lives. Joined by Senator Richard Blumenthal, local and state law enforcement, and rail safety partners at the Berlin Railroad Station, Commissioner Giulietti encouraged all people to participate in activities to reduce crossing crashes and pedestrian/railroad trespass incidents during this week and throughout the year. Governor Ned Lamont also issued a special statement proclaiming September 19-25, 2022, as Rail Safety Week in Connecticut.
“I have worked in transportation and on the railroad virtually my whole career. And while we have made great progress in reducing the number of railroad collisions, the fact remains that every three hours in our country, a person or vehicle is hit by a train,” said CTDOT Commissioner Giulietti. “We are working every day with Operation Lifesaver to keep our communities safe. Thank you, Governor Lamont, Senator Blumenthal, and all our partners for helping us raise awareness to stop track tragedies and save lives.”
CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will be holding the following events during Rail Safety Week 2022.
- Monday, September 19: To help riders stay safe, CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will connect with commuters at the Bridgeport and New Haven Train Stations and will hand out special railroad safety information.
- Tuesday, September 20: To emphasize the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespassing laws, CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will work with the New Canaan, Norwalk, and Watertown Police Departments on Operation Clear Track, a public awareness and safety event at active railroad crossings.
- Wednesday, September 21: To highlight crossing safety, CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will distribute safety information to school bus drivers in New Haven, Stamford, and West Hartford.
- Thursday, September 22: To showcase track and railroad safety in a controlled and safe environment, CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will have a special demonstration of the Essex Steam Engine, 1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426, between 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Members of the media are invited to attend.
- Friday, September 23: To increase public safety, CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will work with the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council and local police departments on training and safety guidelines.
Connecticut is a leader in supporting highway-rail grade crossing and pedestrian safety programs through its local Operation Lifesaver Program.
For more information on Operation Lifesaver, visit oli.org.
Pictured above, CTDOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti (on left) presents Governor Ned Lamont's proclamation for Rail Safety Week 2022 to Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Kevin Burns at the Berlin Railroad Station on September 16, 2022.