Nebraska Department of Transportation
Sept. 20, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) — On Sept. 15, 2023, Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 18-24, 2023, as Rail Safety Week in Nebraska. A tie-in with the national campaign emphasizing the need for awareness and caution when walking, cycling or driving on or around railroad tracks, this year’s theme is “Stop Track Tragedies” with efforts aimed to avoid preventable crashes.
In 2022, 984 people were killed or injured nationwide in vehicle-train collisions, with 24 of those in Nebraska. Another 1,097 were killed or injured nationwide while walking on or around railroad tracks, with 11 of those in Nebraska. Across the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours.
"Rail safety plays a critical role in the lives of those who work on our highways and railroads, the traveling public and our citizens," said Governor Pillen. "Nebraska remains committed to supporting these ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries caused by rail-related incidents across our state.”
The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is collaborating with a coalition of safety advocates, including Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the Rail Transportation Safety District (RTSD) and law enforcement to educate Nebraskans about railroad safety, as many incidents on railroad tracks and crossings are preventable.
Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, public education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries on railroad tracks and at crossings. Their mission emphasizes education, enforcement and engineering to improve the safety of railroad crossings.
“I am proud of the partnerships we have with Operation Lifesaver, the RTSD and law enforcement as we work on our commitment to help educate and increase public safety on railroad tracks and crossings throughout Nebraska,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “It is important to continue to increase awareness as we work together to make all railroad crossings safe in Nebraska with zero fatalities.”
Check Operation Lifesaver’s Rail Safety Week for information on collaborative efforts to increase rail safety and ways to help stop track tragedies.