INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Eric Holcomb has proclaimed September 21-27, 2020 as Indiana Rail Safety in conjunction with U.S., Canada and Mexico Rail Safety Week that will take place throughout North America. Our goal is to increase rail safety awareness by working collaboratively with virtual events due to Covid-19 and socially distanced in-person events. Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation, local law enforcement agencies, and railroad companies have partnered together to raise awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.

As part of Rail Safety week, new audio and public service announcements are being released in an ongoing public awareness campaign aimed at saving lives near railroad tracks. The campaign, called #STOPTrackTragedies, features videos with the personal stories of people directly affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents - including victims, friends and family members, locomotive engineers and first responders.

In 2019, Indiana experienced 120 railroad crossing collisions resulting 44 people injured and 11 fatalities. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions. The Hoosier state had 9 trespasser deaths last year including 8 injuries.

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths, and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement. To learn more about Indiana Operation Lifesaver, please visit us online at www.oli.org or call 812-528-4327.