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National Rail Safety Week a good reminder during harvest

Officials are using the first ever national Rail Safety Week to remind farmers to be careful at crossings during harvest.

Sheryl Cummings, director of the Minnesota chapter of Operation Lifesaver, says four out of every ten collisions between a vehicle and a train involve equipment commonly used on the farm.

“A large truck, a truck/trailer, tractor, or other large equipment.  It just really gets to the heart of why it’s so important for us to be speaking to everybody, regardless of what their age is or what vehicles they’re driving because it’s really important.”

Minnesota Department of Ag Commissioner Dave Frederickson tells Brownfield as harvest activity picks up, he has a simple message for anyone on the road.

“Approach the crossing carefully.  Look both ways.  And then look both ways again!  To make sure that you’re seeing what you’re seeing.”

Cummings wants travelers to remember trains can’t stop quickly, are often closer than they appear, and says you should never proceed through a crossing unless you are sure you can completely clear the tracks.

Operation Lifesaver, the national rail safety education non-profit, has partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other organizations to promote Rail Safety Week.

 

 

 

 

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