OPERATION LIFESAVER MONTH IN GEORGIA The month of May has been designated as "Operation Lifesaver Month" in Georgia during a proclamation-signing ceremony in the office of Governor Sonny Perude at the State Capitol. Georgia Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit safety organization dedicated to saving lives and preventing injuries at Georgia's nearly 10,000 highway-rail grade crossings is commemorating its 30th Anniversary this year. Georgia was the fourth state in ghe nation to start a program to educate the motoring public about highway-rail crossing safety. Begun in 1974, the number of motorists involved in motor vehicle-train collisions annually was nearly 400. By 2002, that number had decreased to 142, due in part to the educational efforts of Georgia Operation Lifesaver, as well as crossing engineering improvements. The state of Georgia ranks seventh in the nation for the highest number of public at-grade crossings. Along with a high volume of both train and motor vehicle traffic, it is of the utmost importance to educate Georgians about safety around trains and railroad rights-of-way. Many citizens do not realize that the law in all states requires motorists to "yield" to oncoming trains, and make the mistake of trying to beat a train at a crossing. It can take an average freight trai, with 150 cars traveling 50 miles per hour, a mile to a mile and one-half to come to a complete stop. By a time a train engineer sees a vehicle or pedestrian on the tracks ahead, it is usually impossible to avoid a collision. Operation Lifesaver's national slogan of "Look, Listen and Live" should be heeded by all motorists and pedestrians to save lives and prevent injuries. During the month of May, special programs and activities will be scheduled throughout Georgia to heighten public awareness of the inherent dangers at highway-rail crossings and the need to obey existing laws. For more information or to schedule a free presentation in Georgia, contact Jennie Glasgow, State Coordinator, Georgia Operation Lifesaver via phone at 770-393-2711 or via email at gaol@mindspring.com VISIT GEORGIA OPERATION LIFESAVER ON THE WEB AT HTTP://WWW.GEORGIAOL.ORG |