'Footage that will make you tense to watch': GRT releasing videos of near misses with ION trains
Grand River Transit is releasing new videos every day this week showing close calls with its ION trains.
It is part of their Rail Safety Week campaign, with the goal of increasing awareness around the region’s LRT tracks.
The videos will show near-misses with other vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
“It’s footage that will make you tense to watch and cause your belly to rise,” Regional Councillor Tom Galloway said in a release. “But it’s an important reminder that everyone -- transit users, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers -- need to pay attention to their surroundings.”
In the first video, a pedestrian can be seen crossing the street in front of an approaching LRT. They then drop their phone near the tracks, and crouch down to pick it up, despite the fact that the train is just a few metres away.
The videos are meant to show how distracted walking, cycling and driving can have serious and sometimes tragic consequences.
Grand River Transit says in each instance, the LRT operators were able to safely stop the train before a collision.
“They do have some jarring videos,” said Peter Zinck, the Director of Transit Services for the Region of Waterloo. “It’s just raise awareness around this issue because there’s moving vehicles. There’s moving people around, and sometimes people aren’t always watching what’s going on around them.”
According to officials, there have been seven near hits with ION trains and seven collisions with other vehicles.
That includes a crash earlier this month in Kitchener between an ION train and a car.
“We’d like to get to zero,” said Zinck. “We’d like to not have any of these incidents. It’s really about being aware as you interact with the trains.”
Metrolinx, which operates local GO trains, also weighed in on the safety message.
“It’s important to never underestimate how fast the trains go, and to adhere to the signs and safety measures in place,” said Nitish Bissonauth, a media relations spokesperson for Metrolinx.
Grand River Transit will be releasing the videos on their social media and YouTube channels.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.