The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in New Orleans recently launched a new campaign dedicated to promoting public safety around its streetcars, titled Tracks Can Kill: Live Outside the Lines. The overall goal of the campaign is to educate the public—specifically pedestrians, drivers, joggers, cyclists, and others who encounter the streetcars on a regular basis—about the safest ways to coexist with streetcars in an effort to eliminate all preventable accidents.

RTA is using television public service announcements; advertisements on its vehicles; brochures; flyers; and social media to encourage viewers to “think again” so they will avoid danger.

Although streetcars travel at a lower speed than most rail vehicles, they cannot come to an immediate stop. As RTA explains, the difference in time and inches can be a matter of life and death. This safety campaign brings greater awareness to the hazards associated with jogging and cycling on the tracks and encourages motorists to treat the median, or neutral ground, as an additional lane of traffic.

The RTA is partnering with businesses, organizations, schools, universities, and neighborhood associations located near streetcar lines to deliver the message.