Union Pacific to hunters: Don’t become road kill

Now that fall hunting season is in full swing, Union Pacific issued a public statement urging hunters “to resist the temptation to hunt on railroad property this season.”

“Wildlife will migrate and feed along the edges of freshly harvested fields, making these areas prime hunting spots,” said Dennis Jenson, Union Pacific assistant vice president-chief of police. “With many fields adjacent to Union Pacific tracks, hunters find it very tempting to hunt on or near the tracks.

 Too many people have been injured or killed trespassing on railroad property over the years.”

“As part of our UP CARES (Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety initiative), we want to remind hunters that walking on or near railroad tracks is extremely dangerous because you never know when a train will come along,” said Dale Bray, Union Pacific director-public safety. “It can take a mile or more to stop a train, and, by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it is too late to stop. Locomotives and railcars overhang the tracks by at least three feet on either side of the rail. If you are too close to the tracks, you can be hit by the locomotive or a railcar.

Union Pacific said that it “is committed to public safety through various outreach channels such as community events, media, Union Pacific Railroad police, employee resource groups and Operation Lifesaver. The UP CARES public safety initiative brings together communities in a collaborative and caring effort to promote railroad grade crossing and pedestrian safety.
UP CARES activities include grade crossing enforcement with local, county, and state law enforcement agencies; 
safety trains that provide local officials a firsthand look at what locomotive engineers see daily while they operate trains through a community; and
 communication blitzes that educate the community at events or media outreach.”

“Hunters are not the only ones drawn to railroad tracks,” Bray said. “Hikers, bikers, fishermen, and snowmobilers are, as well. 

Anyone choosing to walk on or near railroad tracks could face a tragic consequence. Last year, 442 people died and 388 were injured while trespassing on railroad property throughout the United States, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

 People who enter railroad property can be arrested for violating trespassing laws. They could serve jail time and/or have to pay a fine. Do not become a statistic; stay away from railroad tracks during this hunting season.
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