Expanded Rail Safety Outreach
Officials Expand Rail Safety Week Outreach Amid Rising Crossing Incidents Across North America
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CN Police Constable George Kullman said officers receive reports several times a year of young people “playing chicken” with trains, creating dangerous near misses. He also warned that people should keep well clear of passing trains because rail cars are wider than the tracks and cargo can shift or become dislodged.
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Illinois recorded 134 highway-rail crossing collisions in 2025, resulting in 34 deaths and 27 serious injuries. The state has approximately 7,300 miles of railroad track, 7,482 public highway-rail crossings and 3,280 private crossings.
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Illinois’ new railroad-safety law, Public Act 104-0590, requires school districts to include information in student handbooks about existing rail-safety laws, best practices for walking or driving near tracks, and other guidance for avoiding train-related accidents.
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Indiana’s observance coincides with the 10th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver’s national See Tracks? Think Train! Week. The nonprofit says trained volunteers provide free rail-safety presentations across the state.
Rail Safety Week is bringing together officials, police, railroads and safety groups across the United States and Canada to push a simple message: trains kill. A person or vehicle is struck by a train about every three hours in the US, according to Operation Lifesaver, yet more than 60% of vehicle-train collisions happen at crossings with active warning devices. Indiana is marking its 15th annual observance this week with expanded education and enforcement, while Illinois is requiring schools to teach rail safety in student handbooks.
The risks are severe and often misunderstood. Trains cannot stop quickly — a freight train traveling at 55 mph needs a mile or more to halt. Rail cars extend well beyond the tracks, and cargo can shift or fall onto bystanders. Young people sometimes play "chicken" with trains, creating near-miss situations that often end in death. CN Police warns that trespassing leads to criminal penalties and frequently tragic accidents.
Illinois Sees 34 Deaths in Rail Collisions This Year
Illinois recorded 134 highway-rail crossing collisions in 2025, killing 34 people and seriously injuring 27 others, according to state data. The state has approximately 7,300 miles of railroad track, with 7,482 public highway-rail crossings and 3,280 private crossings. Many of these collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights and gates that drivers ignore or fail to see.
Illinois Schools Must Teach Students About Train Danger
Starting this school year, Illinois school districts must include railroad-safety information in student handbooks under Public Act 104-0590. The new law requires districts to teach young people about existing rail-safety laws, best practices for walking or driving near tracks, and guidance for avoiding train-related accidents. The requirement targets students who are most likely to trespass on railroad property or take dangerous shortcuts across tracks.
Indiana Launches Operation Clear Track and Safety Events
Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared Indiana Rail Safety Week, marking the state's 15th annual observance and coinciding with Operation Lifesaver's national "See Tracks? Think Train!" Week. The state is running Operation Clear Track, which combines education and enforcement around railroad crossings and property. Indiana Operation Lifesaver is providing free rail-safety presentations through trained volunteers across the state, while law enforcement agencies are riding aboard trains to learn about crossing dangers firsthand.
Officers and Police Deploy to Enforce Crossing Safety
Local law enforcement agencies are actively enforcing rail-safety laws during the week. The Indiana Rail Road hosted an "Officers on a Train" safety event, inviting law enforcement to ride aboard trains and understand how quickly they approach crossings and how limited the sight lines are for engineers. Orlando Police deployed officers and its Motors Unit to Downtown Orlando railroad crossings, conducting active enforcement to catch drivers ignoring crossing signals and gates. The visible police presence aims to change driver behavior and deter trespassing.
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