City of Lincoln Police Department to observe Illinois Rail Safety Week

[September 18, 2015]  LINCOLN - The State of Illinois has declared September 13th to 19th as Illinois Rail Safety Week in order to promote vehicle and pedestrian safety around railroad tracks and trains. In Illinois during 2014, there were 134 crossing collisions involving motor vehicles, which resulted in 55 injuries and 24 fatalities. In addition, there were 48 trespasser incidents that resulted in 19 injuries and 29 fatalities when people trespassed on to railroad property.

Lincoln itself had two trespasser fatalities since 2010. During 2014, Illinois ranked 2nd in the nation in vehicle collision fatalities and 3rd in the nation in trespasser fatalities.

To promote rail safety awareness and education, the Lincoln Police Department is participating in Illinois Rail Safety Week. Enforcement details are planned throughout the week at various railroad grade crossings and commuter stations within Lincoln to cite both drivers and pedestrians who disobey the laws associated with railroad grade crossings and railroad property.

Please remember, not only is it against the law to stop your vehicle on railroad tracks, it is also against the law to stop your vehicle anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. Highway-rail grade crossings are typically marked by white stop lines located on the pavement in advance of the crossing, and if not marked by white stop lines, the highway-rail grade crossing extends from protective gate arm to protective gate arm.

According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 67 percent of all collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells). For more information about Illinois Rail Safety Week, please visit www.illinoisrailsafetyweek.org.

[Police Chief Paul Adams, city of Lincoln]