It’s easy for children and adults to forget that crossing the tracks can be unsafe. In fact, they may be less careful when crossing the tracks than when crossing a street!
Children don’t view traffic like adults. They often:
- can’t judge speed and distance;
- can’t tell where a sound is coming from;
- focus on one thing at a time (i.e., what interests them right now);
- have little or no sense of danger;
- don’t see or understand traffic flow; and
- think they are smarter or stronger than they really are.
That’s why it’s so important to teach and remind your children or children in your care:
- how to safely cross railway tracks – at approved public crossings only;
- the safest walking path to school if there is a train track to cross; and
- to never walk or play on railway land.
Rail Safety, Children and You
Transport Canada believes safety is a shared responsibility. Please read the rail safety literature listed below. Time spent teaching a child how to stay safe around railway tracks and trains can save lives.
Additional Resources
A guide to parents and caregivers on how to keep children safe around trains and railway property.