In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution designating the week of September 15 to September 21, 2025, as “Rail Safety Week” in Pennsylvania.
 
It is my hope that this resolution will help raise awareness throughout our Commonwealth about the importance of rail safety education and encourage the public to take steps to stay safe around railroad tracks. This will run in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver’s nationwide awareness campaign called “See Tracks? Think Train  Week”, which seeks to reduce collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail crossings, and prevent trespassing on or near railroad tracks.
 
Although significant progress has been made in highway-rail crossing safety, much work remains. Despite an 82 percent decline in crossing collisions over the past four decades, federal data shows that 263 fatalities still occurred at crossings in 2024 alone.

Railroads are private property, and accessing them outside of designated crossing areas is considered trespassing. This is a serious safety issue. Every day, people walk, exercise, or take photos on or near the tracks, which led to 1,464 deaths and injuries in 2024 alone. Alarmingly, in the United States, a person or vehicle is struck by a train about every three hours.
 
By declaring September 15 to September 21, 2025, “Rail Safety Week” in Pennsylvania, I seek to highlight the urgent need for renewed commitment to preventing tragedies near tracks and trains.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important resolution.