Group works to prevent pedestrian-train accidents

About every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train, according to ‘Operation Lifesaver‘.

Operation Lifesaver works to educate people about the dangers of railroad crossing.

Because of this, it has made train tracks safer with signage and education.

Sgt. Brian Lovell, with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is the area coordinator for the Idaho Falls.

He said if a pedestrian crosses a railroad crossing that is not designated for pedestrian, they can be fined.

“It is a misdemeanor trespassing charge in Idaho and it could carry some jail time or a fine. We just ask people, whenever you see railroad tracks, think that there could be a train coming. A train could be coming at any time,” Sgt. Lovell said.

Lovell said Operation Lifesaver started in Idaho, several decades ago and now it has expanded across the country.

For the local group, click here.