[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 153 (Monday, September 23, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  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:

                              S. Res. 322

       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.

                          ____________________