Title: A resolution 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.
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

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

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 382 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 23, 2021

 Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Fischer) 
 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, 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.

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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