[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 698 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 698

  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 
   through September 24, 2023, as ``Rail Safety Week'' in the United 
 States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail 
      grade crossing-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 18, 2023

   Ms. Wilson of Florida (for herself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. 
  Payne, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mrs. Watson 
   Coleman, Mr. Carson, Mrs. Foushee, Ms. Norton, Mr. Cardenas, Ms. 
     Brownley, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Titus, Mr. Ryan, and Mr. Carter of 
 Louisiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
           the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 
   through September 24, 2023, as ``Rail Safety Week'' in the United 
 States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail 
      grade crossing-related incidents, 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 
        incidents, injuries, and fatalities;
Whereas the rail industry strives to safeguard drivers and pedestrians at 
        highway-rail grade crossings through continuous maintenance, public 
        safety campaigns with organizations like Operation Lifesaver, utilizing 
        government and community collaboration, and heavy investment in 
        technology;
Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents constituted 
        approximately 96 percent of all rail-related fatalities during 2022;
Whereas, since 2000--

    (1) the number of public highway-rail grade crossings has decreased by 
18 percent; and

    (2) the number of gates at such crossings has increased by 59 percent;

Whereas, in 2022, 58 percent of all highway-rail grade crossing incidents and 61 
        percent of all fatal highway-rail grade crossing incidents occurred at 
        gated highway-rail grade crossings;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,194 highway-grade 
        crossing incidents occurred in the United States in 2022, resulting in 
        274 deaths and another 803 individuals injured;
Whereas many incidents 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, which administers a public education program 
        about grade-crossing safety and trespassing prevention, enjoys broad 
        bipartisan support;
Whereas, during Rail Safety Week, from September 18 through 24, and throughout 
        the year, everyone is encouraged to take added caution as motorists or 
        pedestrians approach tracks or trains;
Whereas the United States, Canada, and Mexico will concurrently observe Rail 
        Safety Week; and
Whereas this important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a 
        reduction in highway-rail grade crossing incidents and other railroad 
        incidents: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (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 incidents, 
                fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail grade 
                crossings; 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 and grade crossings.
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