IV 
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. CA´RDENAS, 
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 Sep-
tember 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 edu-
cation safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, the Depart-
ment 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 
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around highway-rail grade crossings and railroad tracks 
and to highlight efforts to further reduce incidents, inju-
ries, and fatalities; 
Whereas the rail industry strives to safeguard drivers and pe-
destrians at highway-rail grade crossings through contin-
uous maintenance, public safety campaigns with organi-
zations like Operation Lifesaver, utilizing government 
and community collaboration, and heavy investment in 
technology; 
Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing inci-
dents constituted approximately 96 percent of all rail-re-
lated fatalities during 2022; 
Whereas, since 2000— 
(1) the number of public highway-rail grade cross-
ings has decreased by 18 percent; and 
(2) the number of gates at such crossings has in-
creased by 59 percent; 
Whereas, in 2022, 58 percent of all highway-rail grade cross-
ing 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 edu-
cation, 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 
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and trespassing prevention, enjoys broad bipartisan sup-
port; 
Whereas, during Rail Safety Week, from September 18 
through 24, and throughout the year, everyone is encour-
aged to take added caution as motorists or pedestrians 
approach tracks or trains; 
Whereas the United States, Canada, and Mexico will concur-
rently 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 
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(B) to educate themselves and others on 
how to be safe around railroad tracks and 
grade crossings. 
Æ 
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