Governor Holcomb Declares Sept. 24-30 2017 Rail Safety Week

Indiana State Police reports Governor Eric Holcomb has declared September 24 through 30, 2017 as Indiana Rail Safety Week. This happens in conjunction with U.S. Rail Safety Week currently taking place in all 50 states, according to ISP. ISP said their goal is to increase rail safety awareness by working together on national rail safety week. Several groups - Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation, local law enforcement and railroad companies - have partnered together to raise awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property, according to ISP.

“Train versus car collisions are completely preventable,” Jessica Feder, Executive Director, Indiana Operation Lifesaver, said in a release. “Indiana law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings and checking for trespassers during rail safety week. We want the public to know how important it is to pay attention at railroad crossings and that trespassing on railroad tracks and property is dangerous and illegal.”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement, according to a release. It's scheduled several enforcement blitzes throughout the state involving law enforcement agencies.

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ISP said there will also be PSA’s throughout the state, safety information distributed at college campuses, booths at statewide festivals and events, social media campaigns, messages on the INDOT dynamic highway signs, banners on train locomotives and “See Tracks? Think Train!” signs at crossings where multiple train versus vehicle collisions have occurred.

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ISP reports there were 116 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 36 people injured and 10 fatalities in the state of Indiana in 2016 alone. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions. The Hoosier State had seven trespasser deaths last year as well as 12 injuries.

Rail Safety Week also falls in conjunction with a statewide seat belt blitz being enforced by ISP all week long.

“We are constantly striving to improve our statistics with both crossing collisions and trespasser incidents,” Feder said in a release “We encourage everyone to take these warning devices seriously and pay attention at all railroad crossings. It’s the law and it could save your life!”

More information: www.oli.org or 812-528-4327

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