The State of Illinois, with support from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Operation Lifesaver, and Illinois Truck Enforcement Association has declared Sunday, September 14, to Saturday, September 20, 2014, “Illinois Rail Safety Week.” The designation is to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains.
In Illinois during 2013, there were 126 crossing collisions involving motor vehicles, which resulted in 40 injuries and 21 fatalities. In addition, there were 52 trespasser incidents that resulted in 27 injuries and 25 fatalities, when people trespassed onto railroad property. During 2013, Illinois ranked third in the Nation in both vehicle collision fatalities and trespasser fatalities.
For the first time, a Statewide initiative is being conducted to support rail safety. Morrison Police Department is joining other State, County, Municipal, and railroad law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois in this initiative. During Rail Safety Week, the Morrison Police Department will patrol railroad property and crossings throughout Morrison, in an effort to increase awareness through enforcement efforts.
These are some laws pertaining to rail safety:
- Pedestrians must obey railroad bells, signals, gates, lights, etc. at railroad crossings.
- Other than at designated crossings, it is unlawful to trespass onto railroad property.
- Vehicles must obey signals indicating approach of a train.
- Certain vehicles must stop before crossings (i.e., buses, HazMat vehicles, etc.).
- Vehicles shall not stop, stand, or park on railroad tracks or anywhere within the grade crossing.
- Malicious removal or damage to railroad property is unlawful.
Even when signals, gates, and lights are not activated, pedestrians and vehicles should approach railroad crossings with due care, checking both ways for trains.
Pedestrians should never cross railroad tracks where there is not a grade crossing.
Finally, always expect a second train!
The Morrison Police Department urges the community to be mindful of rail safety during Rail Safety Week and every week!