Social Impact & Volunteering

Union Pacific's Bilingual Safety Campaign Educates Public

Cuidado Con El Tren (Use Caution around Trains)
May 20, 2013 10:00 AM ET
Campaign: UP CARES: Promoting Public Safety in Union Pacific Communities

Omaha, Neb., May 20, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Union Pacific Railroad today announced a billboard campaign aimed at encouraging drivers and pedestrians to cross tracks only at approved railroad crossings.

At the center of the campaign are billboards that include important safety tips such as "Always expect a train," "Trains travel 41 feet in the blink of an eye. Look again." and "Some shortcuts cut your life short." The campaign also features Spanish-language billboards with the phrase "Cuidado con el tren," (Use caution around trains).

These messages will be displayed on billboards during the next six months in 12 cities:

  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Ennis, Texas
  • Laredo, Texas
  • Lufkin, Texas
  • Midland, Texas
  • Odessa, Texas
  • El Paso, Texas
  • Plaquemine, La.
  • Minneapolis/St. Paul
  • Chicago

"The safety of our employees and the communities in which we live and work is our No. 1 priority," said Lance Fritz, Union Pacific executive vice president-Operations. "Engaging people with these billboards will support our broad public outreach and education activities as we strive to foster safe behaviors and safe communities."

The billboards will raise awareness that a train could be using the railroad tracks at any time and to always approach them with caution. Union Pacific encourages drivers and pedestrians to follow all laws regarding grade crossings and railroad safety.

In addition to the billboard campaign, Union Pacific's UP CARES initiative promotes pedestrian and driver safety through a variety of outreach channels:

  • Grade crossing education and enforcement, during which motorists violating rail crossing signage and laws are educated about the dangers of such actions. Related "positive enforcement" initiatives reward drivers who operate safely at grade crossings.
  • Safety trains, hosting local law enforcement, media and public officials and providing them the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab and see traffic violations from a locomotive engineer's point of view. This also allows Union Pacific to connect with community leaders and help them better understand the railroad's safety focus.
  • Communication blitzes, which educate the public via community events, media outreach and paid advertising. Media outreach coincides with safety trains in UP communities.

For more information, visit UnionPacificCares.com

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.