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.

Bill: 118-hres-698
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Introduced: 2023-09-18
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents

Commemorative events and holidays

Railroads

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2023-09-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-09-18
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution expresses support for the designation of Rail Safety Week.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 698 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. Cárdenas , 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 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.

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 incidents, injuries, and fatalities; Whereas the rail industry strives to safeguard drivers and pedestrians at highway-rail grade crossings through continuous maintenance, public safety campaigns with organizations like Operation Lifesaver, utilizing government and community collaboration, and heavy investment in technology; Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents constituted approximately 96 percent of all rail-related fatalities during 2022; Whereas, since 2000— (1) the number of public highway-rail grade crossings has decreased by 18 percent; and (2) the number of gates at such crossings has increased by 59 percent; Whereas, in 2022, 58 percent of all highway-rail grade crossing 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 education, 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 and trespassing prevention, enjoys broad bipartisan support; Whereas, during Rail Safety Week, from September 18 through 24, 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 incidents and other railroad incidents: Now, therefore, be it

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 (B) to educate themselves and others on how to be safe around railroad tracks and grade crossings.