Operation Lifesaver cooperates with deaf community, promotes safety around tracks and trains

Editor: The recent death of Tara Rose McAvoy is a reminder of the special dangers that railroads pose to people with hearing loss. If you'd like someone to speak to your organization about railroad dangers, Operation Lifesaver can help!

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As a result of the death Wednesday of a deaf high school student near railroad tracks in Texas, Operation Lifesaver's state programs are responding to requests from the deaf community and the media for information to help prevent similar tragedies. Operation Lifesaver, a national nonprofit public safety education organization, offers tips for pedestrian and driver safety around tracks and trains.

"We mourn the loss of Tara Rose McAvoy, Miss Deaf Texas, and others who have been killed or injured while on railroad tracks or railroad rights-of- way," said Gerri Hall, President, Operation Lifesaver. "This is particularly tragic because Ms. McAvoy as a deaf person was unable to hear the train's horn.
"We hope to work with the deaf and hard of hearing groups to deliver a critical message -- that it is not safe to be on or near the tracks," she said. "Many people do not realize there is at least a 3-foot overhang of a train on both sides of the tracks."

Hall noted that urban myth that the vibrations of the train will warn them off the tracks before the danger point may give false security to hearing as well as hearing-impaired people. "Unfortunately this is not true and may encourage people to walk too close to the tracks. Because of the size and weight of the average train, its stopping distance is nearly a mile. Once the train's engineer can see you, it is usually too late to stop the train in time to avoid a tragedy."

Operation Lifesaver's 3,000 certified presenters throughout the U.S. and Canada are trained to give free safety presentations to community groups, schools, school bus drivers, truck drivers and community organizations.

The multimedia presentations include visual aids, a personally delivered safety talk, interactive activities and videos. While many OL presenters are not proficient in American Sign Language, OL invites any groups with interpreter capabilities to contact OL and arrange a free demonstration, and invites anyone interested in becoming certified as an Operation Lifesaver Presenter to contact the organization to find out more about free training and certification.

More information, including contact information for coordinators in each state, can be found on our website: http://www.oli.org.