Police Watching Crossings During Rail Safety Week

For the fifth consecutive year, Illinois State Police is working with other agencies to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains during Rail Safety Week, which is September 23-29.

District 22 Commander Captain Michael Alvey has planned enforcement details throughout the week at various railroad grade crossings. Drivers and pedestrians who disobey the laws associated with railroad grade crossings and railroad property will be cited. 

Officers will also be promoting education on the topic by distributing literature to the public that contains rail safety information.

When crossing railroad tracks, drivers must obey the law and be aware of their surroundings. Remember that it is against the law to stop a vehicle on the railroad tracks and anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. Those crossings are typically marked by white lines just before the crossing. If not marked, the crossing area is between the protective gate arms. It is also illegal for pedestrians to go around a protective gate or disobey warning lights or bells.

In 2017, there were over 2,100 railroad crossing collisions with motor vehicles nationwide, which resulted in over 800 injuries and over 270 fatalities. In 2017, there were over 100 railroad crossing collisions in Illinois involving motor vehicles; these collisions resulted in 29 injuries and 25 fatalities. 

For more information on Rail Safety Week please visit: https://oli.org/about-us/news/rail-safety-week-2017.