[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 322 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 322

  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 22 
 through September 28, 2019, 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 23, 2019

Mr. Wicker (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Fischer, and Ms. Duckworth) 
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 22 
 through September 28, 2019, 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 during 2018;
Whereas since 2005, the number of public crossings has declined by 8 percent, 
        while the number of gates at such crossings has increased by 26 percent;
Whereas, in 2018, 51 percent of all grade crossing collisions and 64 percent of 
        all fatal grade crossing collisions occurred at gated crossings;
Whereas, in 2018, there were a total of 841 rail-related fatalities and 8,177 
        rail-related injuries in the United States;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics show that 2,216 highway-grade crossing 
        crashes occurred during 2018, resulting in 263 persons killed and 
        another 840 persons injured throughout the United States;
Whereas trespassing incidents on railroad property resulted in 571 persons 
        killed and another 479 injured across the Nation in 2018;
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 22 through 28, 2019, and 
        throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to observe added caution as 
        motorists or pedestrians approach tracks or trains;
Whereas, 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--
                    (A) the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week; and
                    (B) efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, 
                fatalities, and injuries; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States--
                    (A) to participate in Rail Safety Week events and 
                activities; and
                    (B) to educate themselves and others on how to be 
                safe around railroad tracks.
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