(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — Small blue signs are posted at thousands of rail crossings in Iowa, and the signs can be lifesavers if there’s trouble on the tracks.
The Iowa Department of Transportation’s rail safety team is working to raise awareness about Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs.
Iowa DOT Rail Director Amanda Martin says many people don’t pay attention to the signs or even notice that they exist.
Each blue-and-white sign includes an emergency telephone number and a unique crossing ID number — both vital in an emergency.
If your vehicle is hung up on the tracks or you spot another vehicle that’s stuck, calling the 800-number can give rail dispatchers enough time to stop an approaching train and prevent a disaster.
While Iowans are conditioned to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, Martan says if the emergency is near a railroad crossing, the first call should be to the 800-number on the sign.
Iowa has more than 6,500 railroad crossings. If you don’t see a sign and there’s a problem on the tracks, Martin says to call 9-1-1.
Wednesday is ENS Sign Awareness Day.
