Enforcement and Railroad Traffic Safety Tips News Conference NA11266bb

WHAT:   
News conference to announce traffic enforcement initiatives directed to motorist and pedestrians who fail to abide by vehicle laws near or at railroad crossings.   

Visuals will include a Metrolink and a Union Pacific locomotive which may be boarded by media representatives.  A short train ride-a-long will be available for the media. Officers will be citing individuals who do not abide by vehicle code laws at railroad crossings.

WHEN:   
Friday, December 9, 2011 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Union Pacific Gemco Yard
7801 Van Nuys Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91402  

WHO:
Commander James H. Cansler, Assistant Commander Officer, Operations-Valley Bureau
Chief Steven Zipperman, Los Angeles School Police Department
Assistant Chief Tom Angel, Burbank Police Department
Captain Ivan Minsal, Commanding Officer, Valley Traffic Division
Ms. Lupe Valdez, Director of Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad
Ms. Sherita Coffelt, Metrolink
Detective William Bustos, Officer-in-Charge Valley Traffic Division Detectives

WHY:
In the United States, a train collides with a vehicle, or a pedestrian, every 100 minutes.  Locally, this year, there have been six fatal rail collisions in the City of Los Angeles.  Four of those deaths have occurred in the San Fernando Valley and involved pedestrians.

In an effort to increase motorist and pedestrian safety near railroad tracks, law enforcement officers will aggressively enforce the State’s railroad crossing laws. Pedestrians, to include students, must cross railroad crossings. During the press conference, traffic safety tips will be provided to motorists and pedestrians to avoid becoming a rail collision statistic.
 
For additional information, please contact Detective Bustos at 818-644-8021 or cell 213-841-9060.