Operation Clear Track aims to get drivers, pedestrians off railroad tracks

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook Tuesday to post about Operation Clear Track as U.S. Rail Safety Week gets underway.

The Sheriff’s Office posted photos of deputies handing out flyers to drivers at railroad crossings on International Golf Parkway and Racetrack Road both at U.S. 1. They posted “Florida is in the TOP 5 for vehicular and pedestrian deaths on railroad tracks.”

They’re among the hundreds of law enforcement officers across the country participating in Operation Clear Track.

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The initiative was started by Operation Lifesaver and Amtrak who teamed up to raise awareness about the dangers.

According to Operation Lifesaver, while incidents have dropped over the past 50 years -- a person or car is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S.

While working on this story Action News Jax spotted a couple crossing the tracks outside a marked intersection.

They agreed to speak with us and told us they had a friend who died after getting hit by a train.

“I have to ask, knowing that happened to your friend and you still crossed, why?” asked Lorena Inclán.

“I wasn’t thinking I just did it, reaction. But I will start thinking more about that,” said pedestrian Sarah Howe.

It’s not just pedestrians, the Florida Highway Patrol also tweeted photos Tuesday showing troopers warning drivers about stopping on the tracks.

“They’re just not paying attention to what they’re doing,” said driver Sophie Frandino.

Cox Media Group