from staff reports
The Mississippi Department of Transportation has scheduled a railroad blitz in Philadelphia today from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Hundreds of motorists in Neshoba County will receive safety brochures as part of the event. The Philadelphia blitz will take place on Main and Beacon Streets near the railroad tracks.
The Railroad Blitzes are done in partnership between MDOT Rails Enforcement Officers and Mississippi Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Crossing blitzes are held throughout the year in various counties statewide to increase awareness and reduce the numbers of fatalities at locations where roadways intersected with train tracks and at railroad rights of way.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, Mississippi is at the top of the list for reductions in grade crossings fatalities. In 2006, there were 13 highway-rail grade crossing fatalities in Mississippi and in 2007 there were three. The decrease in the number of fatalities is a move in the right direction and proves that public awareness is making a difference.
Mississippi Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is working diligently to stop the needless deaths and injuries on or near highway rail grade crossings through education, enforcement and engineering. Operation Lifesaver presentations are available free of charge to local schools and organizations. Call (601) 359-7539 for more information.
