Rail Safety Week Begins Sept. 13

Submitted post

The State of Illinois has declared the week of Sept. 13 to 19 as Illinois Rail Safety Week in order to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains.

In 2014, there were 134 railroad crossing collisions involving motor vehicles resulting in 55 injuries and 24 fatalities throughout the state. In addition, 19 injuries and 29 fatalities occurred when people trespassed on railroad property.

During 2014, Illinois ranked second in the nation in railroad vehicle collision fatalities and third in the nation in rail yard trespasser fatalities.

Please remember, not only is it against the law to stop your vehicle on railroad tracks, it is also against the law to stop your vehicle anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. Highway-rail grade crossings are typically marked by white stop lines located on the pavement in advance of the crossing. If a railroad crossing is not marked by white stop lines, the crossing extends from one protective gate arm to the other.

According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 67 percent of all collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices, which include flashing lights, gates and ringing bells.