A Whitby rail safety open house will help families learn about safe behaviour around tracks, trains, buses and crossings later this month.
The Whitby rail safety event is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kids Safety Village of Durham Region, 1129 Athol Street.
Interactive activities planned for families
Metrolinx staff and community partners will lead interactive activities intended to help children and adults recognize hazards and make safer choices around rail and transit infrastructure.
The open house is part of Rail Safety Week, which runs from September 21 to 27. The annual campaign emphasizes staying alert near tracks and crossings, obeying warning devices and keeping away from rail corridors except at designated crossings.
The Kids Safety Village uses a child-sized community setting for public-safety education. Its Whitby location provides a controlled place for families to practise safety concepts that apply on real streets and around transportation systems.
Why the safety message matters
Rail corridors and stations are active transportation environments. Trains cannot stop quickly, and stepping onto tracks or using a rail corridor as a shortcut can have severe consequences. People should cross only where permitted and should never go around lowered gates or ignore lights and bells.
Metrolinx also encourages riders and pedestrians to remain aware around buses and station areas. Mobile phones, headphones and other distractions can make it harder to notice an approaching vehicle or warning signal.
Families planning to attend should check Metrolinx or Kids Safety Village channels before travelling in case hours or event arrangements change.
