A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 26, 2020, 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.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 768 Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20 through September 26, 2020, 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. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES NOVEMBER 12, 2020 Mr. WICKER (for himself, Ms. CANTWELL, Mrs. FISCHER, and Ms. DUCKWORTH) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the week of Sep- tember 20 through September 26, 2020, 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. Whereas the first Rail Safety Week was held from September 24 through September 30, 2017, by the national edu- cation safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, the Depart- ment 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:09 Nov 13, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR768.ATS SR768 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 768 ATS and to highlight efforts to further reduce collisions, inju- ries, and fatalities; Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing acci- dents constituted approximately 97 percent of all rail re- lated fatalities during 2019; Whereas since 2005— (1) the number of public crossings has decreased by 8 percent; and (2) the number of gates at public crossings has in- creased by 36 percent; Whereas in 2019, 49 percent of all grade crossing collisions and 65 percent of all fatal grade crossing collisions oc- curred at gated crossings; Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,228 highway-grade crossing collisions occurred in the United States in 2019, resulting in 299 deaths and the injury of another 822 individuals; Whereas many collisions between trains and motor vehicles or pedestrians could have been prevented by increased edu- cation, engineering, and enforcement; Whereas Operation Lifesaver, the foremost public information and education program on rail safety, administers a pub- lic education program about grade-crossing safety and trespassing prevention; Whereas during Rail Safety Week, from September 20 through 26, and throughout the year, everyone is encour- aged to take added caution as motorists or pedestrians approach tracks or trains; Whereas the United States, Canada, and Mexico will concur- rently observe Rail Safety Week; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:09 Nov 13, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR768.ATS SR768 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 768 ATS 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 (1) supports the designation of Rail Safety 2 Week; 3 (2) expresses strong support for— 4 (A) the goals and ideals of Rail Safety 5 Week; and 6 (B) efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, 7 fatalities, and injuries; and 8 (3) encourages the people of the United 9 States— 10 (A) to participate in Rail Safety Week 11 events and activities; and 12 (B) to educate themselves and others on 13 how to be safe around railroad tracks. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:09 Nov 13, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR768.ATS SR768 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS