Sheriff's Office Enforcing Rail Safety Week In Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday it will partner with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Operation Lifesaver, the railroad industry, and several local Illinois law-enforcement agencies to promote Rail Safety Week, happening Sunday through Saturday, Sept. 22 through 28. During Rail Safety Week, the sheriff's office will be conducting additional enforcement and providing educational details at railroad crossing across Lake County, according to a release from the sheriff's office. According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 85 percent of all collisions occur at railroad crossings with active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells), the release added.

The sheriff's office reports that during 2018 in Illinois there were:

• 86 collisions at public highway-rail crossings involving motor vehicles or pedestrians, resulting in 26 injuries and 15 fatalities.
• 40 trespasser incidents that resulted in 18 injuries and 22 fatalities when people trespassed onto railroad property.
• During 2018, Illinois ranked 3rd in the nation in collision fatalities and 5th in the nation in trespasser fatalities.

“Nearly every death or injury occurring at a railroad crossing is preventable," Sheriff John Idleburg said, in the release. "It is extremely reckless and illegal to go around railroad gates or attempt to cross when the red lights are flashing. Don’t risk death, wait until all warning signals have stopped before crossing!”

The sheriff's office asks everyone to please remember that not only is it against the law to stop your vehicle on railroad tracks, it is also against the law to stop your vehicle anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. According to the release, highway-rail grade crossings are typically marked by white stop lines located on the pavement before the crossing, and if not marked by white stop lines, the highway-rail grade crossing extends from protective gate arm to protective gate arm.

For more information about Illinois Rail Safety Week: illinoisrailsafetyweek.org or contact the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.