CN encourages public to be safe around railroads for first national Rail Safety Week in the United States

First national event aimed at raising awareness about rail safety

HOMEWOOD, IL, Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - As part of its year-round effort to save lives, CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) is pleased to participate in the first U.S. National Rail Safety Week, a week long series of events aimed at raising awareness and promoting safe behaviour around railroads.

Last year, in the United States, 2,025 rail grade crossing collisions resulted in 798 personal injuries and were responsible for 265 fatalities. During that same period, 994 trespassing incidents occurred resulting in 483 pedestrians being injured and 511 killed while trespassing on the railroad property rights-of-way.

"Too many people die while trespassing on railway property and those fatalities are entirely preventable," said Stephen Covey, Chief of police and Chief Security officer at CN. "These tragedies can be avoided by staying off railway tracks and by simply obeying crossing signals."

During Rail Safety Week, CN Police Service (CNPS) will be out in communities raising awareness of the potentially devastating consequences of trespassing on railway tracks and disregarding railway safety signs and devices at level crossings.

CN Police officers will have custom virtual reality viewers to demonstrate 360° rail safety videos to the public. Visitors to CN's Rail Safety Pledge website can view the videos on a desktop, laptop or mobile device, and visitors with access to any Google Cardboard viewer can experience this immersive virtual reality environment.

CN is encouraging the public to take the Rail Safety Pledge online which they can easily share with their Facebook friends and Twitter followers.

The Rail Safety Pledge asks people to share rail safety tips in their community, talk about rail safety at their local schools, or report unsafe behaviour around trains or railway property.

"Rail safety is everyone's responsibility," said Covey. "By looking out for each other and working together, we can help keep our communities safe and prevent fatalities and injuries on or near railway property. Together we can save lives and help bring crossing and trespassing accidents down to zero."

Get rail safety tips, take the Rail Safety Pledge, and live the 360° rail safety experience on your computer or mobile device at: www.mysafetypledge.com.

CN has been promoting railway safety for more than 25 years through its All Aboard for Safety community education program. Every year, CN employees make hundreds of All Aboard for Safety presentations and talk to more than 300,000 children and adults at schools and community events in Canada and the United States about the importance of safety and the dangers of walking or playing on or near railway tracks.

About CNPS
Every year, CN Police Service responds to hundreds of events along CN's network across eight Canadian provinces and 16 U.S. states. In addition to patrolling CN property, CNPS officers deliver rail safety presentations to schools, trucking agencies, bus operators and community organizations. By rolling out strategic educational initiatives and conducting targeted operations, CNPS aims to promote safe behaviours and increase awareness of rail safety. CNPS is committed to making CN the safest railroad in North America.

SOURCE CN

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