Rail Safety Week takes place September 15 to 21, 2025.

Q: What’s the importance of Rail Safety Week?

A: CN’s annual Rail Safety Week campaign raises awareness about the vital importance of rail safety. Together with cities, towns, and Indigenous communities across North America, CN raises awareness of dangerous behaviours around railway tracks and property to help prevent accidents and incidents.

Q: How is the CN Police Service involved with local communities in promoting rail safety?

A: We tackle the issue on many fronts:

• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we’re active in communities right across CN’s network to promote safe behaviour around the railroad. Our activities include conducting enforcement initiatives at locations prone to incidents and delivering safety presentations at schools and to high-risk groups.
• Rail Safety Week brings the message to national prominence. CN Police officers and other employees partner with community leaders and law enforcement agencies to get the message out.

Q: Are rail-related accidents on the rise? What can we all do to help eliminate accidents?

A: In 2024 alone, there were 261 crossing and trespassing incidents reported in Canada resulting in 66 fatalities and 58 serious injuries. And we have seen disturbing spikes in deaths and serious injuries related to crossing and trespassing on railway property. We need the help of all our community partners to increase public education about rail safety.

Q: Hundreds of communities have signed resolutions or expressed their support for Rail Safety Week. Why is this collaboration important?

A: Because Rail Safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage all communities from across CN’s network to show their support for rail safety through public engagement, coordinated policing and public crossing maintenance activities. And CN’s neighbours are listening. Over 376 communities across the network signed Rail Safety Proclamations in 2024, recognizing the importance of the Week. We appreciate this support very much.

Of course, CN’s shared responsibility goes beyond resolutions and pledges. It’s all about constant communication to sensitize citizens about safe behaviours that help save lives. All incidents can be prevented, and we all play a role in ensuring people know that.

CN Police 24/7 Emergency Number

1-800-465-9239