Union Pacific Railroad is urging hunters to resist the temptation to hunt near railroad property this season.

“As hunters head outdoors this year, we want to remind them that walking on or near railroad tracks is extremely dangerous because you never know when a train will come along,” said Dennis Jenson, assistant vice president-chief of police.

“It can take a mile or more to stop a train and by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it would be too late,” said Dale Bray, director – public safety.

“Locomotives and rail cars overhang the tracks by at least three feet on either side of the rail and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are next to the tracks, you can be hit by the locomotive, a rail car or anything that may be hanging loose from the car,” added Bray.

Hunters are not the only ones drawn to railroad tracks – hikers, bikers, fishermen and snowmobilers are as well. Through September of this year, more than 32,000 people have been caught trespassingon Union Pacific Railroad property. Trespassers on railroad property can be arrested
for violating trespassing laws. If they are caught, they could serve jail time and/or have to pay a fine.

Last year, 458 people died and 426 were injured while trespassing on the property of railroads throughout the United States.