Union Pacific Railroad Reminds Drivers to Use Caution at Railroad Crossings While Traveling This Memorial Day Weekend

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May 20, 2013, 10:23 ET

OMAHA, Neb., May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific Railroad reminds drivers to use caution at railroad crossings while traveling in their vehicles this Memorial Day weekend.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110304/LA59497LOGO)

"Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest vehicle travel days during the year, and we want drivers to use caution when they cross railroad tracks and safely arrive at their destinations," said Robert Morrison, Union Pacific Chief of Police.

"It can take a mile or more for a train to stop, and, by the time a locomotive engineer sees a vehicle on a crossing, it is too late to stop," said Dale Bray, Union Pacific director – public safety.

Union Pacific's UP CARES (Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety) initiative promotes railroad grade crossing, pedestrian and driver safety through a variety of outreach channels:

Grade crossing education and enforcement, during which motorists violating rail crossing signage and laws are educated about the dangers of such actions. Related "positive enforcement" initiatives reward drivers who operate safely at grade crossings.
Safety trains, hosting local law enforcement, media and public officials and providing them the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab and see traffic violations from a locomotive engineer's point of view. This also allows Union Pacific to connect with community leaders and help them better understand the railroad's safety focus.
Communication blitzes, which educate the public via community events, media outreach and paid advertising. Media outreach coincides with safety trains in UP communities.

For more information visit UnionPacificCares.com.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Union Pacific media contact: Mark Davis, 402-544-5459 or [email protected]

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SOURCE Union Pacific Railroad