Rail safety campaign reaches millions with message about blue-and-white emergency signs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A national rail safety campaign aimed at teaching the public how to use blue-and-white emergency notification signs at railroad crossings reached millions of people during its second annual awareness day, according to Operation Lifesaver Inc.

Operation Lifesaver, its state programs and federal, state and local partners held Emergency Notification System Sign Awareness Day on June 24. The campaign focuses on what motorists should do if a vehicle becomes stuck on railroad tracks and how the emergency signs posted at crossings can help.

According to Operation Lifesaver, earned media coverage from the campaign had a potential audience reach of 77.6 million people. More than 4.3 million people were reached through radio news coverage, while 25 television news mentions in key state markets reached more than 258,000 viewers.

“These statistics demonstrate the significant reach of the ENS Sign Awareness Day message, and they do not even include the number of people educated through in-person events organized by Operation Lifesaver State Coordinators and partners,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “We are immensely grateful to all those who worked to #STOPTrackTragedies by sharing information about the Blue and White sign. These efforts save lives.”

The blue-and-white Emergency Notification System sign is located at railroad crossings and provides a telephone number motorists can call during an emergency. Each sign also includes a crossing identification number that allows a dispatcher to determine the caller’s location.

Operation Lifesaver said anyone whose vehicle becomes stuck on railroad tracks should immediately get everyone out of the vehicle and move far away from the tracks, even if a train is not visible.

Once safely away, motorists should locate the blue-and-white ENS sign, call the number displayed on it and provide the crossing identification number to the dispatcher. If no sign can be found, they should call 911.

“Even though ENS Sign Awareness Day has passed, we should not stop talking about the Blue and White sign,” said Maleh. “Instead, we should share this message every day, because every day people encounter highway-rail grade crossings. We can help empower everyone to make safe choices around tracks and trains and know what to do if there is an emergency at a crossing.”

Operation Lifesaver said its ENS Sign Awareness Day report includes additional campaign statistics and highlights from participating organizations.

The organization plans to hold its next ENS Sign Awareness Day on June 24, 2027, and is encouraging motorists and community organizations to continue sharing information about the emergency signs throughout the year.

Additional information, safety materials and public service announcements are available through Operation Lifesaver’s ENS Sign Awareness Day webpage.