Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 26, 2020, 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.
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Rail Safety Week.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 768 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 768

  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 
 through September 26, 2020, 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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 12, 2020

Mr. Wicker (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Fischer, and Ms. Duckworth) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 
 through September 26, 2020, 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.

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 97 percent of all rail related fatalities during 2019;
Whereas since 2005--

    (1) the number of public crossings has decreased by 8 percent; and

    (2) the number of gates at public crossings has increased by 36 
percent;

Whereas in 2019, 49 percent of all grade crossing collisions and 65 percent of 
        all fatal grade crossing collisions occurred at gated crossings;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,228 highway-grade 
        crossing collisions occurred in the United States in 2019, resulting in 
        299 deaths and the injury of another 822 individuals;
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 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.
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