Plainfield PD Plan Extra Rail Crossing Enforcement

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Police Department will participate in Illinois Rail Safety Week, deploying officers to help enforce and educate on rail crossing laws and best practices. The extra details begin Sunday and last through next week.

Starting Sunday, extra patrols will be deployed to area rail crossings to cite drivers and pedestrians who do not obey laws governing rail crossings and railroad property, the Plainfield Police Department said. Officers will also be handing out literature on how to be safe and obey laws surrounding rail crossings.

With Illinois, and the Chicago area, being the crosshairs of America's rail system, the state has a problem with rail safety. In 2018, Illinois was 3rd in the nation in railroad collision deaths with 15 fatalities, according to Plainfield Police. The state was also fifth in the nation in railroad property trespasser deaths, with 22.

With that, Gov. JB Pritzker proclaimed the week of Sept. 22-28 as Illinois Rail Safety Week, with police agencies and rail companies and agencies across the state partnering on the effort.

Plainfield Police said it is against the law not only to stop a car on railroad tracks, but also to stop a car anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. The crossing, if not marked on the street, extends from protective gate to protective gate.