Union Pacific Urges Agriculture Producers to Stay Safe When Crossing Tracks during Harvest

Whether harvesting corn, sugar beets, potatoes, soybeans, rice or Christmas trees

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Oct 17, 2014, 11:00 ET

OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year prior to and during harvest, all agriculture professionals are reminded to be aware and practice safe driving procedures when bringing in their crops. Many fields are adjacent to Union Pacific Railroad tracks and producers often use private railroad crossings to travel from field to field. Union Pacific urges producers to stay safe when crossing the tracks while they are working in the fields during this year's harvest.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 250 people died and 943 were injured in 2013 as a result of grade crossing incidents across the United States.

Union Pacific shares its commitment to public safety through various channels such as community events, media outreach, law enforcement partnerships and collaboration with Operation Lifesaver. The UP CARES (Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety) public safety initiative brings together communities in a collaborative and caring effort to promote railroad grade crossing and pedestrian safety.

"As agriculture producers harvest their crops this year, we want to remind them to approach railroad crossings with caution and take the extra time to be sure a train is not near because you never know when a train will come along," said Robert Morrison, Union Pacific Chief of Police.

To increase awareness of railroad safety during harvest, Union Pacific safety team members have provided elevator operators in Nebraska with grade crossing safety information in the form of a visor card that is attached to a weigh scale ticket holder. Drivers are then given the safety information when they receive their weigh ticket.

"It can take a mile or more to stop a train and by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it would be too late," said Lawrence Wenko, Union Pacific director – Public Safety.

"Locomotives and rail cars overhang the tracks by at least three feet on either side of the rail and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If your combine or tractor are too close to the tracks, you can be hit by the locomotive or a rail car," added Wenko.

Union Pacific has reduced grade crossing accident rates by 15 percent from 2003 - 2013. UP CARES initiatives promote pedestrian and driver safety through a variety of outreach efforts:

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, which host local law enforcement, media and public officials and provide them the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab and see traffic violations from a locomotive engineer's point of view. This activity also allows Union Pacific to connect with community leaders and help them better understand the railroad's focus on safety.
Communication blitzes, which educate the public via community events, media outreach and paid advertising. Media outreach coincides with safety trains in UP communities.

Do not become a railroad statistic; use caution when approaching and crossing railroad tracks this harvest.

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 connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2004-2013, Union Pacific invested approximately $30 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. 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