[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5056-S5057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 798--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE 
   WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 19 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2022, 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:
       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 94 percent of all rail-
     related fatalities during 2021;
       Whereas, since 2005--
       (1) the number of public highway-rail grade crossings has 
     decreased by 10 percent; and
       (2) the number of gates at such crossings has increased by 
     39 percent;
       Whereas, in 2021, 47 percent of all highway-rail grade 
     crossing collisions and 65 percent of all fatal highway-rail 
     grade crossing collisions occurred at gated highway-rail 
     grade crossings;
       Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,145 
     highway-grade crossing collisions occurred in the United 
     States in 2021, resulting in 236 deaths and another 664 
     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 19 through 
     25, 2022, 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

[[Page S5057]]

       (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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