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.

Bill: 116-sres-768
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-11-12
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents

Commemorative events and holidays

Railroads

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2020-11-12
text: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6679; text: CR S6676-6677)

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-11-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of Rail Safety Week.</p>

action_date: 2020-11-12
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of Rail Safety Week.</p>

tv_txt: III 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 768 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

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.