Rail Safety Week

The Municipal District of Spirit River has proclaimed September 15 – 21, 2025, as Rail Safety Week

Railways are an integral part of Alberta’s transportation system moving several million tons of goods within the province each year. This includes petroleum, forest and agriculture products, as well as other manufactured and consumer products. The Alberta government, through Alberta Transportation, is responsible for regulating provincially regulated railways, which include approximately 345 industrial railways, 7 heritage railways, and 3 public railways. The provincial government ensures safety through inspections, incident investigations, and enforcement of legislation.

Rail Safety Week is a time to celebrate the volunteers and organizations that educate and raise awareness of rail safety in Canada. It serves as a critical reminder for the public to stay at a safe distance from tracks, never use them as a shortcut, and always obey railway signs and signals. Statistics show that trespassing incidents and crossing accidents remain a serious concern, with a significant number of Canadians injured or killed annually, most of which are preventable.