New Rail Safety Programme in Wales Educates Youth on Railway Dangers

A new educational initiative, Rail Safe Friendly, has been launched in Wales to teach young people about the dangers of trespassing on railway tracks. This important programme, developed through a partnership between Transport for Wales, Network Rail, and educational platform Learn Live, aims to raise awareness, save lives, and prevent injuries by highlighting the serious risks associated with railway trespassing.

Teaching Rail Safety: A Collaborative Effort

Rail Safe Friendly offers schools and the rail industry a platform to work together on this critical safety issue, bringing interactive and engaging lessons directly to students. Recognizing the importance of reaching young audiences, the programme is designed to educate children and teenagers on the specific hazards they may not fully understand. Trespassing on railways poses serious risks, from the dangers of high-speed trains to the hidden hazards of electrified tracks, and this initiative provides the knowledge needed to make safer choices.

Digital Learning for Greater Accessibility

Using the Learn Live channel, the programme offers live and on-demand broadcasts that schools can integrate into their schedules, either in classrooms or assembly halls. This flexibility ensures that the educational sessions can reach a wider audience, engaging students through digital platforms they are familiar with. Teachers can choose from a variety of content formats, including interactive videos and virtual sessions, making rail safety education both accessible and impactful.

Rail Safe Friendly: Aiming for Lasting Impact

Rail Safe Friendly is more than just an awareness campaign; it’s designed to create lasting knowledge that will help keep young people safe around railways. By introducing this programme in schools, Transport for Wales and Network Rail hope to foster a culture of safety and responsibility around railways, reducing incidents and ultimately saving lives.

Key Takeaways from the Rail Safe Friendly Programme

• Engaging Education: The programme provides interactive, digital sessions to make learning about rail safety engaging for young people.
• Collaborative Approach: Developed by Transport for Wales, Network Rail, and Learn Live, it’s a unified effort to tackle railway trespassing.
• Accessible Content: Live and on-demand broadcasts allow schools flexibility in delivering important rail safety messages.

By bringing essential rail safety education to schools, Rail Safe Friendly is making a proactive investment in the wellbeing of young people across Wales.