Amtrak is continuing an education and enforcement campaign along the Gulf Coast ahead of returning passenger trains to the region sometime later this year.

But as Amtrak runs its so-called “familiarization trips” ahead of restoring Gulf Coast service, tragedy and dangerous behaviors are occurring. One person was killed in late April while attempting to cross a rail crossing despite the safety arms being activated.

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An enforcement campaign last month showed questionable behaviors continuing. During a one-day operation, a citation was issued to a drive at Navco Road for failure to stop at a railroad crossing, a citation was also issued at Hamilton Road for failure to stop at a crossing and two warning citations were issued to bicyclists at Duvall Street for failure to stop at a crossing.

The Navco Road crossing is the same location of the fatality, which is the only death to occur along a rail crossing along the Gulf Coast since the Amtrak familiarization trains began.

The enforcement campaign was a joint effort involving Amtrak police officers, CSX Railroad Special Agents, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Mobile Police Department.

Nancy Hudson with Operation Lifesaver in Alabama, said the reason for the Mobile campaign was because of the tragic crash and the “increased traffic on the Gulf Coast.”

“The biggest thing is people are in such a hurry now,” she said. “We are rushing constantly. We don’t want to wait because we got to pick up the kids and get so many things done and we get aggravated and frustrated to have to wait for a train. But your life is worth the wait. That’s what Operation Lifesaver programs are about across the country.”

Hudson said anyone who wants additional information can contact her at 205-852-4646.