Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris signed a proclamation yesterday declaring Railway Safety Week. It aims to raise awareness and promote railway safety through education and engagement. In light of the proclamation, new decals were unveiled on the sidewalks by the railway crossing on 3rd Street Northeast.

Ferris hopes the educational week will allow the city to see less railway related incidents.

"Most railway accidents are preventable," says Ferris. "So, by raising awareness we hope to get our railway accidents down to nothing."

The decals can be found in various cities across the province, Canada, and in the U.S. Constable Lise Aquin with the CN Police was there, and spoke to the importance of the week.

"Last year in Manitoba there were 15 railway related incidents, two of which resulted in fatalities," says Aquin. "One of the main causes of incidents is people not obeying traffic control devices and signals, in addition to individuals trespassing on railway properties."

Aquin explains sharing railway safety tips is a communal effort.

"We can all agree that one is too many," she says. "We need everyone's help. It is a shared responsibility. We have to make sure we are slowing down and stopping when coming to a railway crossing. Whatever the case may be, stop, look, and listen."

Take the safety pledge now by clicking here.