FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2002
September
8th - “Railroad Crossing Safety Awareness Day" – Ohio
Rally At the Rails
With September 8th fast approaching,
it’s important for
Ohioans to acknowledge SCR039 “Railroad Crossing Safety
Awareness Day”. Sponsored by State Senator Scott Oelslager
(R-Plain Twp.) this concurrent resolution received unanimous
support and passage from the Ohio Senate and Senate Committee
on Highways and Transportation this past June.
Recognizing the combination of lights and gates are 90% effective
at preventing accidents between trains and vehicles, it addresses
the fact that only approximately 34% of Ohio’s public
crossings are protected while about 43% have minimal signage
(crossbucks or Buckeye crossbucks). Private crossings often
have no protective and/or warning devices. “This fact
is all the more reason for us to examine how well our crossings
are protected and to commit to making them as safe as they
can be”, Oelslager said.
This resolution seeks to remind responsible drivers to be extra
cautious at all railroad crossings, especially those considered
ultra-hazardous because of difficult sight lines, inadequate
protective devices, and steep approaches to railroad grades.
It also acknowledges railroads have a shared responsibility
for the selection and funding of protective devices and that
state and local officials need to be proactive in eliminating
hazards at all dangerous crossings. It shouldn’t take
a tragedy for a dangerous crossing to become a priority.
State Senator Oelslager will speak at Ohio’s Rally at
the Rails Day scheduled for September 21, 2002, Medina County
Square (Uptown Park 1-3:30p) on the importance of this resolution
and how it affects all Ohioans and the state’s 9,600 crossings,
of which more than 6,400 intersect with public roads.
For more information on Ohio Rally at the Rails contact:
Vicky L. Moore, Trustee
The Angels On Track Foundation
12376 Chestnut Street, N.W.
Canal Fulton, OH 44614
http://www.angelsontrack.org
1-330-854-6311
Email: info@angelsontrack.org
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