Operation Lifesaver will host a Back to School Safety Blitz this Friday in Thorsby. The event is set to take place from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Richard Wood Park.

After last year’s tragedies, the group is hoping to get the word of safety out, not only to the students who may be crossing the tracks but also to the parents who cross the tracks a few times a day to transport themselves and their children to and from school.

“Most accidents happen when a person becomes too familiar with a certain set of tracks. If there is never a train at the crossing you drive over to go to work then you won’t be as willing to stop, look and listen for one, which is when accidents happen,” Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Nancy Hudson said.

During the Blitz, there will be five safety crews set up to answer questions and talk about different forms of safety, including boating safety, bicycle safety, car seat safety, railroad safety and drunk driving safety.

There will be refreshments available during the Blitz as well as a coloring contest for any children interested.

“Although we do work solely with the railroads, we promote all safety because a distracted driver at a railroad crossing can cost a life,” Hudson said. “If we work together to keep all points of safety covered, then we are helping to prevent any accidents and hopefully we are preventing more deaths.”