Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 21 through September 27, 2026, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail grade crossing-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1605 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1605

  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 21 
   through September 27, 2026, as ``Rail Safety Week'' in the United 
 States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail 
      grade crossing-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 1, 2026

  Ms. Wilson of Florida 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 21 
   through September 27, 2026, as ``Rail Safety Week'' in the United 
 States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail 
      grade crossing-related incidents, 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 
        incidents, injuries, and fatalities;
Whereas the rail industry strives to safeguard drivers and pedestrians at 
        highway-rail grade crossings through continuous maintenance, public 
        safety campaigns with organizations like Operation Lifesaver, utilizing 
        government and community collaboration, and heavy investment in 
        technology;
Whereas highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents constituted 
        approximately 98 percent of all rail-related fatalities during 2025;
Whereas, since 2005, the number of public highway-rail grade crossings has 
        decreased by 11 percent;
Whereas, in 2025, 59 percent of all public highway-rail grade crossing incidents 
        and 78 percent of all fatal public highway-rail grade crossing incidents 
        occurred at gated highway-rail grade crossings;
Whereas preliminary Federal statistics indicate that 2,274 highway-grade 
        crossing incidents occurred in the United States in 2025, resulting in 
        285 deaths and another 768 individuals injured;
Whereas many incidents 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, which administers a public education program 
        about grade-crossing safety and trespassing prevention, enjoys broad 
        bipartisan support;
Whereas, during ``Rail Safety Week'', from September 21 through 27, 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 incidents 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 incidents, 
                fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail grade 
                crossings; 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 and grade crossings.
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