Startling statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration reveal that approximately one in four railroad crossing collisions in the U.S. involve tractor-trailer trucks and other vehicles requiring a Commercial Driver License (CDL). To address this, Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization, has updated its ProDriver Challenge eLearning program helping drivers prepare to make safe choices when navigating railroad crossings along their routes.

The ProDriver Challenge offers an interactive online learning experience for CDL drivers, putting users at the controls of a virtual dashboard where they make important safety decisions as the driver of a box truck or 18-wheeler. With its fresh makeover, the ProDriver Challenge offers an immersive and dynamic online learning experience.

“In the simulated driving environment of the ProDriver Challenge, drivers are exposed to several driving scenarios that demand quick thinking and critical decision-making,” says OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “This virtual learning environment allows drivers to learn from mistakes without real-world consequences, while mastering essential safety signs, signals and best practices. We want all professional drivers to know about this FREE dynamic rail safety education tool and invite them to take the ProDriver Challenge. Working together, we can stop track tragedies.”

With railroads operating approximately 140,000 route miles across the country and 212,000 highway-railroad grade crossings in the U.S., making safe choices around tracks and trains is critical for professional drivers. Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train.

OLI offers additional safety resources for professional drivers, including brochures, posters, videos and educational Public Service Announcements sharing the rail safety message. Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteers, or OLAVs, offer free rail safety presentations to a wide range of audiences across the U.S. – including professional drivers