SunRail Officials Stress Safety
Thursday, February 23, 2012
By: Matthew Peddie

With work beginning on SunRail, rail safety experts are stepping up their efforts to keep the public safe near the commuter line's tracks. Rail traffic is likely to triple once SunRail starts running- and the Florida Department of Transportation says that could increase the risk of accidents.

According to Federal Railroad Administration figures, rail crossing accidents have risen over the past 2 years. In 2010, 67 people were involved in accidents at rail crossings in Florida, up from 48 the year before.

State transportation officials are worried increased traffic from Central Florida's SunRail Commuter train could push those numbers higher.

So the Florida Department of Transportation is focusing on Operation Lifesaver, an effort to educate the public.

DOT spokesman Steve Olson says in coming months the agency will be reaching out to schools, churches and other groups to drive home its message.

“These railroad tracks, that had been active in the past, are going to be even more so, and these trains are going to be coming through quicker, they’re going to be quieter, and they just could sneak up on you.”

Olson says it’s not just the public he’s worried about- he reminds journalists also not to get too close to the tracks while they report on SunRail’s development.