Bill Text: IL SR0044 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urges K through 12 schools to include railroad crossing warnings in their student handbooks.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-03-02 - Resolution Adopted [SR0044 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-SR0044-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Many people throughout the State put themselves
and others at risk by trespassing along the right-of-way of
railroads or ignoring railroad crossing warning devices at
public crossings; and
WHEREAS, Parents and children alike may be unfamiliar with
proper behavior near railroad tracks; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage K through
12 schools in this State to include the following language in
their student handbooks:
"As a parent, you teach your children to strive for
excellence, pursue their interests, and to be safe and
responsible citizens. Operation Lifesaver is an
international, nonprofit education and awareness program
dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities, and
injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad
rights of way. Operation Lifesaver strives to increase
public awareness about the dangers around the rails. The
program seeks to educate both pedestrians and drivers,
young and old, to make safe decisions at crossings and
around railroad tracks.
Your children will take critical information they

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learn from you into their future. Operation Lifesaver wants
to help you make sure their future is a safe one.
Here are some tips about walking across railroad tracks
and trespassing:
(1) Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or
roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs
and signals.
(2) Never walk down a train track; it's illegal and
it's dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can
see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too
late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a
collision.
(3) The only safe place to cross is at a designated
public crossing with a cross buck, flashing red lights,
or a gate. If you cross at any other place, you are
trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.
(4) Do not cross the tracks immediately after a
train passes. A second train might be blocked by the
first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait
until you can see clearly around the first train in
both directions.
(5) Flashing red lights signal that a train is
approaching from either direction. You can be fined for
failure to obey these signals. Never walk around or
behind lowered gates at a crossing. Stay Alive! DO NOT
cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing

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and it is safe to do so.
(6) Remember, rails and recreation do not mix!";
and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the State Superintendent of Education.