CN Police pledge Zero Tolerance for trespassers as fatalities increase

Rail Safety Week starts today

HOMEWOOD, Ill, April 28, 2008 — Marking the launch of Rail Safety Week from April 28 to May 4, 2008, CN (TSX:CNR)(NYSE:CNI) announced today that it will enforce a strict Zero Tolerance policy toward all those who trespass on railroad property. CN Police officers will be out in full force this week, conducting their annual safety blitz operations at highway/railroad crossings in about 150 locations across the United States and Canada, alerting motorists to the importance of safety at crossings and cautioning them about the serious risks and dire consequences of trespassing.

Statistics reveal that trespassing incidents resulted in 486 fatalities last year in the United States, in line with a yearly average of 497 over the past decade. Meanwhile fatalities due to crossing collisions for 2007 were down to 339, significantly lower than the average of 393 for the previous 10 years, which reflects a steady improvement in safety at highway/railroad crossings. Statistics also show that more than 50 per cent of trespassing incidents result in death.* The general trend for trespassing is totally unacceptable according to CN.

CN Police Chief Bobby Walker said: “This is a matter of life and death. When people trespass on railroad property, they take risks that can result in serious injuries and fatalities. CN Police are taking action. Anyone found trespassing on railroad property may be prosecuted. Over the years, we've seen it all. Trespassers are putting their lives on our line. Now, we have to stop it. It's Zero Tolerance for trespassers.”

Trespassing includes walking, playing or running on or beside railroad tracks; driving a bike, a car, an ATV, a snowmobile or any other vehicle on or beside railroad tracks; taking a shortcut across railroad tracks or railroad property; and entering railroad yards at any time. (See link for photos below.)

CN has been promoting railroad safety for more than 25 years through its All Aboard for Safety community education program. Every year, CN Police officers make hundreds of All Aboard for Safety presentations and talk to more than 300,000 children and adults at schools and community events in the United States and Canada about the importance of safety and the dangers of walking and playing on or near railroad tracks. Part of the strength of thisprogram is the collaborative relationship with major community safety partners: Operation Lifesaver, Safe Kids USA, Safe Communities America and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Link to photos: http://www.newscanada.com/default.asp?pagename=media&content=getcontent&type=pr&articleID=cn_images

For more information on the safety blitz locations in your area, see the attached list (PDF 76.98KB).