[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 382--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE 
   WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2021, 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

  Ms. CANTWELL (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Fischer) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 382

       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 2020;
       Whereas, since 2005--
       (1) the number of public highway-rail grade crossings has 
     decreased by 9.8 percent; and
       (2) the number of gates at such crossings has increased by 
     38.1 percent;
       Whereas, in 2020, 47 percent of all highway-rail grade 
     crossing collisions and 69 percent of all fatal highway-rail 
     grade crossing collisions occurred at gated highway-rail 
     grade crossings;
       Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 1,901 
     highway-grade crossing collisions occurred in the United 
     States in 2020, resulting in 198 deaths and another 685 
     individuals injured;
       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 
     trespassing prevention;
       Whereas, during Rail Safety Week, from September 20 through 
     26, 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 collisions and other 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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