Rail Safety Day will be going on at the Old Depot today from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Although there will be train rides, hot dogs, games and a bounce house, the intention is to teach people about the dangers of the railroad and to reduce death and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad right of ways.

According to the Operation Lifesaver, the organization hosting the event, 265 highway-rail crossing fatalities occurred in 2015. Approximately 76 percent of crossing fatalities in 2016 occurred in 15 states, California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, Georgia and Minnesota.

Alabama had 9 deaths in 2016.

The dangers are real, and we hope that people will recognize them and follow all safety precautions when dealing with crossings or railways.

The event is for people of all ages.

June was declared Rail Safety Month by the governor’s office and is celebrated across the state.