Title: Expressing support to designate the week of September 21 through September 27, 2020, Rail Safety Week in the United States, and to support 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]
[H. Res. 1106 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1106

   Expressing support to designate the week of September 21 through 
   September 27, 2020, Rail Safety Week in the United States, and to 
support the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce rail-related 
                  accidents, fatalities, and injuries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 11, 2020

  Ms. Wilson of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
     referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing support to designate the week of September 21 through 
   September 27, 2020, Rail Safety Week in the United States, and to 
support 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 the number of public crossings has decreased by 8 percent, while the 
        number of gates has increased by 26 percent since 2005;
Whereas over the course of 30 years, grade crossing fatalities have decreased by 
        57 percent;
Whereas while grade crossing injuries are 11 percent higher, grade crossing 
        fatalities are 21 percent higher, and grade crossing collisions are 15 
        percent higher, since 2009;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics show that more than 2,216 highway-grade 
        crossing crashes occurred across the United States in 2019, resulting in 
        299 persons killed and another 822 injured;
Whereas highway-grade crossing crashes are more severe than highway collisions 
        and are more likely to result in death and injury;
Whereas an estimated 94 percent of collisions and 87 percent of fatalities 
        result from risky driving behavior each year;
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 21 through 27, 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 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of Rail Safety Week;
            (2) expresses strong support for the goals and ideals of 
        Rail Safety Week and efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, 
        fatalities, and injuries; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to 
        participate in Rail Safety Week events and activities and to 
        educate themselves and others on how to be safe around railroad 
        tracks.
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