From MDOT:
JACKSON, MISS., Friday, May 9, 2008- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) would like to announce a railroad blitz scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Tupelo.
Hundreds of motorists in Lee County will receive safety brochures as part of the event. The Tupelo blitz will take place on Elizabeth, Spring and Green Streets near the railroad tracks.
The Railroad Blitzes are a partnership between MDOT Rails Enforcement Officers and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, in conjunction with Mississippi Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (MSOL).
Crossing blitzes are held nine months of the year in various counties statewide to increase awareness and reduce the numbers of fatalities at locations where roadways intersected with train tracks and at railroad rights of way.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Mississippi is at the top of the list for reductions in grade crossings fatalities. In 2006, there were 13 highway-rail grade crossing fatalities in Mississippi and in 2007 there were three. The decrease in the number of fatalities is a move in the right direction and proves that public awareness is making a difference.
Mississippi Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is working diligently to stop the needless deaths and injuries on or near highway rail grade crossings through education, enforcement and engineering. Operation Lifesaver presentations are available free of charge to local schools and organizations. Please contact MSOL at 601-359-7539.
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