[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 660 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 660

  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 23 
 through September 29, 2018, as Rail Safety Week in the United States, 
and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce rail-
              related accidents, fatalities, and injuries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 28, 2018

   Mr. Nelson (for himself, Mr. Thune, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Fischer) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 23 
 through September 29, 2018, as Rail Safety Week in the United States, 
and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce rail-
              related accidents, fatalities, and injuries.

Whereas the first Rail Safety Week was held from September 24 through September 
        30, 2017, by the national education safety nonprofit Operation 
        Lifesaver, the Department of Transportation, and other organizations;
Whereas Rail Safety Week was launched to raise awareness about the need for 
        increased education on how to be safe around highway-rail grade 
        crossings and railroad tracks, and to highlight efforts to further 
        reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities;
Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing accidents constituted 
        approximately 96 percent of all rail related fatalities in fiscal year 
        2017;
Whereas the number of public crossings has declined 8 percent, while the number 
        of gates increased by 30 percent, since 2005;
Whereas, in 2017, 49 percent of all grade crossing collisions and 61 percent of 
        all fatal grade crossing collisions occurred at gated crossings;
Whereas while grade crossing injuries are 16 percent lower, grade crossing 
        fatalities are 6 percent lower, and grade crossing collisions are 13 
        percent lower since 2008, challenges remain;
Whereas, in 2017, there were 824 rail-related fatalities and 8,712 rail-related 
        injuries in the United States;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics show that more than 2,117 highway-grade 
        crossing crashes occurred during 2017, resulting in 272 persons killed 
        and another 833 injured across the United States;
Whereas trespassing incidents on railroad property resulted in 512 persons 
        killed and another 508 injured across the Nation in 2017;
Whereas many collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians could 
        have been prevented by increased education, engineering, and 
        enforcement;
Whereas Operation Lifesaver, the foremost public information and education 
        program on rail safety, administers a public education program about 
        grade-crossing safety and prevention of trespassing;
Whereas during Rail Safety Week, from September 23 through 29, and throughout 
        the year, everyone is encouraged to observe added caution as motorists 
        or pedestrians approach tracks or trains;
Whereas, for the first time, the United States and Canada will observe Rail 
        Safety Week concurrently; and
Whereas this important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a 
        reduction in highway-rail grade crossing crashes and pedestrian and 
        railroad incidents: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of Rail Safety Week;
            (2) expresses strong support for the goals and ideals of 
        Rail Safety Week and efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, 
        fatalities, and injuries; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to 
        participate in Rail Safety Week events and activities and to 
        educate themselves and others on how to be safe around railroad 
        tracks.
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