STOP before every crossing! PKP PLK launches “Safe Fridays”

PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. has launched further summer activities at railway crossings. On every Friday during the summer holidays, railway workers – together with the Railway Protection Guard and police – will conduct campaigns at hundreds of rail-road crossings. Tens of thousands of leaflets will be handed to drivers and pedestrians. Information, conversations and instructions are intended to remind people of proper conduct at rail-road crossings and in railway areas.

“To improve safety at rail-road crossings and deter careless drivers, we carry out activities aimed at different age and professional groups. We distribute leaflets, meet with driving instructors and inspect road-rail crossings. We also want everyone to know that the yellow sticker placed at a crossing contains information that can save lives,” says Marek Olkiewicz, deputy president of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.

The yellow sticker contains three basic pieces of information: the individual identification number of the rail-road crossing, the emergency number 112 and “emergency” numbers. In the event of an incident at a crossing, after connecting to 112, the driver gives the individual identification number from the yellow sticker. The 112 operator notifies the PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. services via a specially created connection. An order is then issued to stop train traffic.

“Safe Fridays” is a campaign intended to prevent unnecessary tragedies and disruptions to railway traffic. Thanks to it, the beginning of the summer holidays may be safer. Last year, drivers caused 39 accidents. In addition to a lack of caution, the most common driver violations were ignoring the STOP sign, attempting to cross under closing barriers or driving around half-barriers.

In 2017, 545 information and prevention campaigns were conducted as part of Safe Fridays. More than 44,000 leaflets were handed to drivers. The Railway Protection Guard issued nearly 1,500 admonitions.

“Safe Fridays” is a campaign conducted as part of the “Safe Crossing – No to Risk!” social campaign run by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. since 2005. Its main objective is to reduce dangerous incidents at crossings. Railway workers organize meetings in schools, competitions and conferences with driving instructors.

There are also activities promoting safety and proper conduct when crossing tracks on social media, as well as posters, banners and leaflets. More information at: https://www.bezpieczny-przejazd.pl/.