CSX Transportation is urging sportsmen and off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to "Use Trails, Not Rails" in promoting public safety along the thousands of miles of railroads nationwide. Railroad tracks are often a popular means of accessing hunting and OHV areas, but far too many people overlook the dangers.

Last year along all U.S. railroads, nearly 4,000 people were killed or injured while on railroad property without permission, according to statistics from the Federal Rail Administration.

"Hunters, ATV and snowmobile riders along with everyone else who enjoys the outdoors need to understand that rails and recreation do not mix," says Kathleen Burns, assistant vice president-safety for CSXT. "A freight train traveling at even moderate speeds requires almost a mile to come to a stop. And, it's important to point out that railroads are private property. We can prevent a lot of needless tragedies if outdoors enthusiasts would remember to 'Use Trails, Not Rails' and stay off the railroad tracks." For more information go to http://www.OperationLifesaver.org/.