Photographers Can Save Lives by Staying Off Train Tracks

"It's been done to death." That's the message Operation Lifesaver is sending photographers and the media this fall.

"Train tracks have become a romanticized location for photography – both for personal and professional use. And it's created a disturbing trend of photographers, and the media, ignoring the warnings and taking photos and shooting video on train tracks," explained Operation Lifesaver's national director, Mike Regimbal.

"Whether it's trying to get a shot for a news story, shooting B-roll, taking clients out to the tracks for wedding photos, snapping photos for Instagram, or taking stock photo images—when you venture onto the tracks illegally it's incredibly dangerous for everyone involved.

"This fall, we have committed to reaching out to the photographer and media communities in hopes of changing this life threatening behaviour," said Regimbal. "We hope by reaching these audiences we will see fewer instances of railway related photographer fatalities and a decline in the publication of dangerous railway images."

New rail safety resources for photographers and media

To help photographers and media do their jobs safely, Operation Lifesaver has developed a set of "Photographer Tips" to guide professional photographers in safely incorporating railway imagery in their work. They have also launched a "safe" railway image gallery with photos that are free to download and are credited, courtesy of Operation Lifesaver.