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[Page S5631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 322--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2019, 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
Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Fischer, and Ms.
Duckworth) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
S. Res. 322
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 2018;
Whereas since 2005, the number of public crossings has
declined by 8 percent, while the number of gates at such
crossings has increased by 26 percent;
Whereas, in 2018, 51 percent of all grade crossing
collisions and 64 percent of all fatal grade crossing
collisions occurred at gated crossings;
Whereas, in 2018, there were a total of 841 rail-related
fatalities and 8,177 rail-related injuries in the United
States;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics show that 2,216
highway-grade crossing crashes occurred during 2018,
resulting in 263 persons killed and another 840 persons
injured throughout the United States;
Whereas trespassing incidents on railroad property resulted
in 571 persons killed and another 479 injured across the
Nation in 2018;
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
prevention of trespassing;
Whereas during Rail Safety Week, from September 22 through
28, 2019, and throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to
observe added caution as motorists or pedestrians approach
tracks or trains;
Whereas, the United States and Canada 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 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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