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 13, to Saturday, September 19, 2015, “Illinois Rail Safety Week.” This initiative is to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains. During 2013, Illinois ranked 3rd in the Nation in grade crossing fatalities with 16 deaths and ranked 2nd in the Nation for trespasser fatalities, with 26.
For the second 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, Morrison Police Department will be patrolling railroad property and crossings throughout Morrison, in an effort to increase awareness through enforcement efforts.
Here 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 of, 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.
Morrison Police Department urges the community to be mindful of rail safety during Rail Safety Week and every week!