*This list provided by ICBC references licensed driving schools in Richmond British Columbia: https://partners.icbc.com/driver-training/driver-training-resources/glp-schools *
Drive Treck Driving Academy: A GLP Program
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Hello there, my fellow students and curious readers!
My name is Jacqueline. I represent as the Train Ambassador for the GLP program at Drive Treck Driving Academy! I would like to extend an invitation for you to accompany me on how to stay safe around train tracks. These rules could save your life, so pay attention!
Understanding Railway Signs
First things first, learn about railway signs and warnings. These signs and devices are there to keep you safe. They’re like the traffic rules for trains.
Look and Listen for Trains
When you come near a railway crossing, slow down, look both ways, and listen for trains. Turn off your music, ask your passengers to be quiet, and roll down your window to hear better. If a train is coming or the railway warning lights are on, stop behind any gates or lines, or at least 5 meters away from the nearest rail. Wait for the train to pass.
Follow All Railway Signs and Signals
Always obey railway signs and warnings. If there are gates and lights at a crossing, wait until the gates are all the way up and the lights stop flashing before you go. Make sure you can see the tracks clearly and be sure no other trains are coming from either side. If the lights start flashing or the gates come down after you start crossing, don’t stop. It’s safer to keep going than to try to reverse.
Stay Alert
Don’t use your cell phone or other devices while driving, especially near train tracks. Trains today are fast and very quiet. If you’re not paying attention when you approach a railway crossing, you’re putting your life and the lives of your passengers in danger.
Watch Out for Others
Remember that cyclists and people using wheelchairs or scooters might need more space when crossing tracks. School buses and other vehicles might have to stop at crossings, so be ready to stop for them.
Don’t Race a Train
Never try to beat a train at a railway crossing. It’s incredibly dangerous. Trains are massive, weighing millions of kilograms, while a car is much lighter. Trains can also go really fast, sometimes up to 160 km/h. So, it’s tough to judge their speed and distance.
Leave Your Vehicle if it Gets Stuck
Cars can break down anytime, even on railway tracks. If your vehicle stops or gets stuck on the tracks, get out quickly with all your passengers. Move at least 30 meters away from the tracks to stay safe in case the train hits your vehicle. Call the railway company right away. They usually have emergency numbers posted near the crossing.
Listen to Police or Flag People
If a police officer or someone waving a flag is at the crossing, do what they say. But remember, it’s your job to make sure it’s safe to cross by looking and listening for a train.
Important Reminders:
- Trains can take a long time to stop, sometimes up to 2 kilometers (about 18 football fields).
- Always drive at a speed where you can stop safely within the distance you can see.
- Be extra careful at night or in winter when visibility might be reduced due to snow or darkness.
- Collisions with trains are extremely dangerous. You’re 40 times more likely to die in a train collision than in a collision with another car.
Stay safe out there, and follow these simple rules to avoid accidents around trains! Let us hear what our Train Ambassador has to say.