Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) has announced $219,155 in grants to fund rail safety awareness campaigns in 11 states. Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to reduce preventable collisions, injuries, and fatalities on and around railroad tracks. Their state-level campaigns will address everything from pedestrian and driver education to youth awareness and professional driver outreach. Preventing accidents also prevents trauma for the train crews who are forced to witness them. The grants were provided by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh.
Safer Crossings mean Healthier Crews
Every critical incident on the rails carries a traumatic, lived experience that leaves lasting psychological scars for the train crew.
While class I railroads grant 72 hours off and three days of basic pay following an “incident”, the physical and emotional recovery unfolds in its own timeframe. With every tragedy averted because of Operation Lifesaver’s campaigns a railroader is spared from trauma and a family is spared from pain.
Campaigns to address train surfing, professional drivers and troubled crossings
Many of OLI’s new projects align with See Tracks? Think Train!® Week (September 15–21, 2025). Highlights include:
- New York will address the alarming rise in train surfing by teens with video-driven outreach.
- Texas and Florida will focus on educating professional drivers and targeting high-risk locations using geofencing and data-driven outreach.
- Minnesota will ensure that immigrant and multilingual communities gain access to crucial safety messages.
- South Carolina and Indiana will focus on high-collision areas through digital, on-the-ground, and event-based campaigns.
These projects join others in Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Washington, and California.
Spread the word
Operation Lifesaver understands the multifaceted nature of rail safety. Every railroader is invited to support OLI’s mission, share their message, and spread awareness of the campaign in their communities.
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