Even Though the Gators Blew out the Volunteers, Safety Was the Big Winner at University of Tennessee

The CSX Transportation Safety Awareness Team hosted a Keep on Living booth September 20 in the Volunteer Village, one block west of Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, to spread rail safety messages with safety pledge banners and distribution of Tennessee Volunteer items that encourage safety, such as t-shirts and towels.

Cliff Stayton, CSXT Director of Public Safety, hands out t-shirts at the University of Tennessee-Florida game at University of Tennessee in Konxville.

The Keep on Living campaign, sponsored by CSXT, has rolled out throughout the Southeast this year. Keep on Living billboards posted near railroad crossings, and public service announcements on radio stations have also aired to help raise awareness of the potential dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks or ignoring warnings at railroad crossings.

As part of the statewide outreach, CSXT worked with the University of Tennessee on a college-student targeted campaign to spread rail safety messages. During the safety outreach at Tennessee, CSXT representatives provided radio interviews with PRAISE WJZB 96.3/FM and The Sports Animal AM 990/FM 99.1/99.3, the flagship radio station of the Volunteers. Additionally, Tennessee Operation Lifesaver provided interviews and support at the event.

Tennessee Rail Incident Statistics

• In 2008 (January-June), Tennessee has had 30 crossing incidents with 5 fatalities and 10 injuries.
• In 2008, Tennessee has had 15 pedestrian incidents with 10 fatalities and 5 injuries.