DART campaign reaches out to homeless to prevent deadly accidents on tracks
Staff writer Jehadu Abshiro reports:
Dallas Area Rapid Transit announced an education and safety program Friday aimed at preventing deadly accidents on the tracks.
After a series of accidents, DART hopes to raise awareness using Operation Lifesaver’s national “See Tracks? Think Train” campaign, DART spokesman Morgan Lyons said.
“This is a tough problem, and it’s going to take all of us to succeed,” Gary Thomas, DART’s president and executive director, said Friday at Union Station downtown.
More than 900 pedestrians were injured or killed while walking on or near railroad tracks in 2013 according to the Federal Railroad Commission. Texas has the second highest crossing casualties in the nation last year, with 92 injuries and 20 deaths.
The campaign specifically focuses on the homeless community. Staff members from DART go to Dallas area shelters, advocacy agencies and homeless camps to do presentations on train safety.
“In many cases they are the ones at the greatest risk,” Thomas said. “If we save just one life — just one — it’s worth it.”
Over 1,300 homeless people have been reached in the last three to four weeks. The campaign coincides with National Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week.
“I really do bet, it saves lives,” said Michael Faenza, who is the president of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance.