More Sheriff Patrols During Illinois Rail Safety Week

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — Illinois Rail Safety Week is underway through Sept. 29 as a way for state officials and law enforcement to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains. The Kendall County Sheriff's Office is participating in Illinois Rail Safety Week and are increasing patrols around railroad tracks and crossings.

The sheriff's office is reminding everyone that not only is it against the law to stop you vehicle on railroad tracks, but it's also illegal to stop your vehicle anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing, which is usually marked by white stop lines on the pavement before the crossing, or if not marked the crossing extends from one protective gate arm to the other.

If that reminder isn't enough, the sheriff's office said there were 86 railroad crossing collisions in Illinois in 2017 involving vehicles, resulting in 21 fatalities and 24 injuries. Illinois ranked 2nd in the country in vehicle collision fatalities and 8th for trespasser fatalities, the sheriff's office said.

RELATED: Oswego Man Hit by Train While Trying to Put a Coin on Railroad Tracks: Police

In 2014, Patch reported an Oswego man who was reportedly drunk suffered non-life-threatening injuries during that year's Illinois Rail Safety Week after misjudging the width of a train while trying to set a coin on the tracks at the crossing near Commerce Street and Light Road. The sheriff's office said the incident happened when a then 27-year old motorcyclist Dean Holmstrom was trying to put the coin down just as a train passed. Holmstrom was cited for trespassing on railroad property, failure to yield at a pedestrian grade crossing and being a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol, sheriff's officials said.

The sheriff's office said more than 84 percent of collisions take place at crossings with active warning signs, including ringing bells, flashing lights and gates, according to Illinois Operation Lifesaver

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