Full Notification

The week of September 23, 2018 through September 29, 2018 is Rail Safety Week across the United States and Canada. The Simi Valley Police Department will be participating in "Operation Clear Track," which is designed to educate and enforce railroad related Vehicle Code violations.

Simi Valley Police Officers along with Railroad Police Personnel will be closely monitoring the railroad tracks in Simi Valley this week, specifically at our rail crossings. Officers will issue warnings and/or citations to trespassers or drivers who are too close to the railroad tracks.

Some reminders about rail safety:

Never drive or walk around lowered grade crossings.

Never attempt to outrun an approaching train.

Remember it takes a train a mile or more to stop

The average train is at least three feet wider than the track on each side.

Always slow down and stop your vehicle prior to the train tracks when lights begin to flash.

CA law states a vehicle cannot be closer than 15 feet from the rail (when waiting for the traffic signal to change from red to green etc.)

Many questions are asked about crossings by Erringer Road or Sycamore Drive. The safest place to stop is prior to the railway. The signals will still sense your vehicle and change appropriately. Stopping past the tracks risks leaving the tail end of your vehicle too close to the tracks, which is not only dangerous but could result in a citation.

AMTRAK has an education program titled "Operation Lifesaver" and their website has several safety tips. It can be accessed at www.oli.org