To promote rail safety awareness and education, the Champaign Police Department will be participating in Illinois Rail Safety Week from September 14-20, 2014.
Enforcement details are planned throughout the week at various railroad grade crossings in Champaign to cite both drivers and pedestrians who disobey the laws associated with railroad grade crossings and railroad property. In addition, police officers will be distributing literature to the public that contains information on how to be safe around trains and train tracks.
Please remember, not only is it against the law to stop your vehicle on the railroad tracks, it is against the law to stop your vehicle anywhere within the highway-rail grade crossing. Highway-rail grade crossings are typically marked by white stop lines located on the pavement in advance of the crossing, and if not marked by white stop lines, the highway-rail grade crossing extends from protective gate arm to protective gate arm.
According to Illinois Operation Lifesaver, more than 50 percent of all collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells). When crossing railroad tracks, you must always obey the law and be aware of your surroundings. For more information about Illinois Rail Safety Week, please visit www.illinoisrailsafetyweek.org.