Tomorrow marks the start of Rail Safety Week across the country, and the City of Portage la Prairie reminds you to be rail smart.

The city is a hub for rail activity, with both CP and CN tracks running through the town. Over 3,400 collisions with trains occurred last year in North America, resulting in over 2,200 serious injuries or fatalities.

According to CP Rail: 292 fatalities have occurred on railway property across North America so far.

When crossing a train track - vehicles should never drive around or under a lowered crossing gate arm, cars should make sure to stop no closer than 5 metres away from the nearest rail, and you should never stop on the tracks.

Trains also can't stop on a dime. The average train needs at least 2 km to stop.

CP and CN Railway lines are private property, and walking on them constitutes trespassing. The only legal place to cross a rail line is at a marked grade crossing.

Rail Safety Week runs until September 26th.