It’s Rail Safety Week

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Governor Mike Pence has declared August 23 through the 29th as Indiana Rail Safety Week.

Indiana Operation Lifesaver, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), local law enforcement and railroad companies have partnered together to raise public awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossings laws and trespassing on railroad property.

Jessica Feder, Executive Director of Indiana Operation Lifesaver says law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings this week checking for trespassers. She says they want the public to know how dangerous it is to try and beat a train and that trespassing on railroad tracks and property is dangerous and illegal.

In 2014, there were 122 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 50 people injured and nine fatalities in the state of Indiana. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions.