‘Officer on a Train’ event addresses train safety in Middleton

MIDDLETON, Wis. — The event called “Officer on a Train” took place Tuesday night in Middleton.

Railroad officials, plus volunteers from Operation Lifesaver, put officers on a train so they could see firsthand what’s happening on the rails.

Operation Lifesaver says train crews see a lot of safety hazards every day, especially when people stop on train tracks while waiting for a red light. Operation Lifesaver added that every three hours, a person or car is hit by a train in the United States.

“Our one statement is: if you don’t fit, don’t commit. Ok, if you can fit past the gates and a train is coming, you’re going to get hit. So if you can’t fit before the light, don’t go,” the chairman of Operation Lifesaver, Wisconsin Gary Koerner said.

He also said they see a lot of people trying to hurry and cross the tracks when they see the lights start to flash, which is not the right thing to do.

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