This is Rail Safety Week across the United States, with a goal of raising awareness on how to stay safe around railways, including VTA light rail.

Every year, in North America, 2100 people are killed or injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around rail tracks or trains. At VTA, safety is our number one priority. And we are not the only ones who have that responsibility.  Safety is EVERYONE’S responsibility.  Lights, signals, crossing gates and warning bells must be obeyed at all VTA light rail crossings.

Motorists and bicyclists should always pay special attention to traffic lights to make sure left turn signals are activated before they turn across tracks.  Pedestrians should always wait for crossing gates to raise before crossing tracks.  And always, always look both ways before crossing because if there is a train that passed from one direction, there is almost always a train coming from the other direction seconds later.

Even with our warnings, lights, signals and gates, there have been some very close calls and tragedies around VTA light rail tracks. Don’t Let Your Guard Down!