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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Many people throughout the State put themselves 
3and others at risk by trespassing along the right-of-way of 
4railroads or ignoring railroad crossing warning devices at 
5public crossings; and

  
 
6    WHEREAS, Parents and children alike may be unfamiliar with 
7proper behavior near railroad tracks; therefore, be it
  
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL 
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage K through 
1012 schools in this State to include the following language in 
11their student handbooks:
12        "As a parent, you teach your children to strive for 
13    excellence, pursue their interests, and to be safe and 
14    responsible citizens. Operation Lifesaver is an 
15    international, nonprofit education and awareness program 
16    dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities, and 
17    injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad 
18    rights of way. Operation Lifesaver strives to increase 
19    public awareness about the dangers around the rails. The 
20    program seeks to educate both pedestrians and drivers, 
21    young and old, to make safe decisions at crossings and 
22    around railroad tracks.
23        Your children will take critical information they 
 
 
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1    learn from you into their future. Operation Lifesaver wants 
2    to help you make sure their future is a safe one.
3        Here are some tips about walking across railroad tracks 
4    and trespassing:
5            (1) Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or 
6        roadway crossings.  Observe and obey all warning signs 
7        and signals.
8            (2) Never walk down a train track; it's illegal and 
9        it's dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can 
10        see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too 
11        late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a 
12        collision.
13            (3) The only safe place to cross is at a designated 
14        public crossing with a cross buck, flashing red lights, 
15        or a gate. If you cross at any other place, you are 
16        trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.
17            (4) Do not cross the tracks immediately after a 
18        train passes. A second train might be blocked by the 
19        first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait 
20        until you can see clearly around the first train in 
21        both directions.
22            (5) Flashing red lights signal that a train is 
23        approaching from either direction. You can be fined for 
24        failure to obey these signals. Never walk around or 
25        behind lowered gates at a crossing. Stay Alive! DO NOT 
26        cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing 
 
 
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1        and it is safe to do so.
2            (6) Remember, rails and recreation do not mix!"; 
3        and be it further
  
 
4    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
5delivered to the State Superintendent of Education.