Bill Summary
This legislation expresses the support of the United States House of Representatives for the designation of a specific week (September 20-26, 2021) as "Rail Safety Week" in order to raise awareness and educate the public on how to be safe around highway-rail grade crossings and railroad tracks. It also acknowledges the efforts of organizations, such as Operation Lifesaver, to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities related to rail safety. The legislation highlights statistics on rail-related fatalities and emphasizes the need for increased education, engineering, and enforcement to prevent accidents. It also encourages people to participate in Rail Safety Week events and educate themselves on how to be safe around railroad tracks.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect people by raising awareness about the need for increased education on how to be safe around highway-rail grade crossings and railroad tracks. This could lead to a reduction in collisions, injuries, and fatalities among motorists and pedestrians who use these crossings.
2. The legislation also encourages individuals to participate in Rail Safety Week events and activities, which could bring communities together and promote a sense of responsibility and shared accountability for safety around railroads.
3. By supporting efforts to reduce rail-related accidents, fatalities, and injuries, this legislation could potentially save lives and prevent families from experiencing the devastating consequences of these incidents. This can have a direct impact on people's well-being and quality of life.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 666 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 666
Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20
through September 26, 2021, 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 20, 2021
Ms. Wilson of Florida (for herself, Mr. Payne, Ms. Brownley, Mr.
Huffman, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Carson, Ms. Newman, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Sean
Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Rodney Davis of
Illinois, Mr. Bost, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Higgins of New York, Mr. Gimenez,
and Ms. Williams of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 20
through September 26, 2021, 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 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 2020;
Whereas, since 2005--
(1) the number of public highway-rail grade crossings has decreased by
9.8 percent; and
(2) the number of gates at such crossings has increased by 38.1
percent;
Whereas, in 2020, 47 percent of all highway-rail grade crossing collisions and
69 percent of all fatal highway-rail grade crossing collisions occurred
at gated highway-rail grade crossings;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 1,901 highway-grade
crossing collisions occurred in the United States in 2020, resulting in
198 deaths and another 685 individuals injured;
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 trespassing prevention;
Whereas, during Rail Safety Week, from September 20 through 26, and throughout
the year, everyone is encouraged to take added caution as motorists or
pedestrians approach tracks or trains;
Whereas the United States, Canada, and Mexico will concurrently observe Rail
Safety Week; and
Whereas this important observance should lead to greater safety awareness and a
reduction in highway-rail grade crossing collisions and other railroad
incidents: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(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.
<all>