Stay off the tracks: Don’t risk your life by travelling on train tracks

Travelling on train tracks is illegal and dangerous. Trains can be unpredictable in their timing and speed, often appearing further away than they are. Their sheer size and weight make it impossible for them to stop fast enough to prevent a collision. Rail Safety Week runs from September 23-29, 2024. The City is reminding everyone to safely use one of Mississauga’s 32 designated railway crossings.

Obey the signs and signals

In Mississauga, railway crossings have signs and signals to alert pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter users and drivers of railway tracks and approaching trains.

If you’re travelling across a railway crossing, make sure to obey all railway signs and warning devices, such as lights, bells and gates. If a train is coming or if railway-warning signals are activated, stop behind any gates or stop lines and wait for the train to pass. If the lights begin flashing after you start crossing the tracks, keep going.

Crossing a railway track

Always cross a railway track at designated crossings whether you’re walking, cycling, riding an e-scooter or driving. Since railways are private property, designated crossings are the only places to safely and legally cross. Don’t cross until all warning signals have stopped and double-check for trains from both directions.

When cycling or riding an e-scooter, never ride on the gravel service roads or green spaces alongside tracks – it is both illegal and dangerous. Make sure to slow down when crossing or you can dismount and walk your device across.

If driving and your vehicle stalls or breaks down on a railway track, it could be deadly. Get yourself and all passengers out immediately. Call the emergency number on the crossing or 911.

Learn more about Vision Zero or read the Vision Zero Action Plan: mississauga.ca/visionzero.

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• Roads and Traffic