NJ TRANSIT PREMIERES NEW RAIL SAFETY VIDEO AT HACKENSACK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Updated â¿¿Chicken on the Tracksâ¿ Video to Promote Rail Safety
November 18, 2014
NJT-14-052
NEWARK, NJ — At an assembly hosted at Hackensack Middle School, NJ TRANSIT today debuted an updated version of its “Chicken on the Tracks” video, a dramatic depiction of incidents on the rails involving young people – to educate students on the possible consequences of trespassing near rail lines. The video was accompanied by a presentation and interactive session by NJ TRANSIT personnel from the agency’s Office of System Safety.
“Educating the public, especially our children and young adults, about safety around rail tracks is a top priority of our agency,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim. “And it was important to update the video to ensure our message resonates with an entirely new generation of young people. We are proud to make this program available to our local schools and community groups as part of our ongoing commitment to foster dialogue and raise safety awareness among students, educators and parents around this critical lesson.”
A preview of the video is available online at: http://vimeo.com/110893325
The video, a complete revision of a 1987 production, enables NJ TRANSIT’s Safety Education Specialists to teach and reinforce safe behaviors to a new generation of students. The 'new' "Chicken on the Tracks" keeps to the original mission while adapting it to changing social and technological developments. The video is age-appropriate and impactful.
The NJ TRANSIT Safety Education Program offers complimentary "Safety Rules!" presentations to all public, private and charter schools (Grades Pre-K through 12) and community groups.
During the 45-minute presentation, students learn the need for caution and safe behavior around tracks, trains, light rail, platforms and buses. Topics discussed include railroad signs and signals, understanding train speed, distance and stopping dynamics and use of electronic devices around all NJ TRANSIT transportation modes. Complementary educational materials are also provided to reinforce the safety tips and procedures presented in the video. Question-and-answer sessions are offered to older student groups.
Those interested in hosting a safety presentation are encouraged to contact Grace Mancini Introna at (973) 491-7158 or [email protected] for schools located in North Jersey and Barbara Lazzaro at (856) 614-7010 or [email protected] for schools located in South Jersey to schedule a presentation.
Recently, NJ TRANSIT has been recognized for its ongoing rail safety efforts and commitment by Operation Life Saver, Incorporated (OLI). In October, NJ TRANSIT received an OLI grant to support the agency’s “Safety Awareness For Everyone” public safety initiative (S.A.F.E.). This initiative expands outreach efforts and raises awareness of dangerous pedestrian and vehicular activity near trains, tracks and stations throughout NJ TRANSIT’s transportation network and along right of ways. In partnership with OLI, NJ TRANSIT’s S.A.F.E. initiative will educate heavy rail and light rail commuters and vehicular drivers about the risks of unsafe choices such as trespassing, walking or running while distracted, and driving carelessly in order to eliminate potential injuries, collisions and fatalities.
NJ TRANSIT’s S.A.F.E. effort, featuring OLI’s campaign theme, "See Tracks? Think Train!", started in October and will run through next month. The campaign includes: train “wraps” displaying safety messages on selected NJ TRANSIT rail cars; promotional messaging on NJ TRANSIT’s website, njtransit.com; and social media and corporate communications support.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 915,900 weekday trips on 262 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.