It’s Rail Safety Week in Indiana. Governor Eric Holcomb made that declaration this past Sunday. The state observance coincides with US Rail Safety Week.
The goal is to increase rail safety awareness and inform the public of the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.
In 2016, there were 116 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 36 people injured and 10 fatalities in the state of Indiana. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions. The Hoosier State had seven trespasser deaths last year as well as 12 injuries
Executive Director of Indiana Operation Lifesaver, Jessica Feder says collisions involving trains and cars are completely preventable. Indiana Operation Lifesaver has scheduled numerous enforcement blitzes throughout the state involving law enforcement agencies.