Police Dept. Announces 6th Rail-Safety Initiative

Another year, another "Police on Board for Rail Safety" campaign!

The annual event, now in its sixth year, involves a two-part initiatve to promote railway safety and avoid violations, accidents, and collisions. First, the WSPD, the BNSF Railway and Lyons Township High School will coordinate to hand out train-safety information at the Western Springs Train Station on May 1.

Second, on May 8, the Department (along with other local law enforcement) will be "aggressively enforcing" safety laws at Western Springs' five (5) vehicle and/or pedestrian crossings (Central, Grand, Lawn, Wolf and Gilbert.) As , the WSPD does not take punitive action in this enforcement, but instead aims to educate.

A release from the WSPD cited Illinois Commerce Commission statistics that Illinois sees approximately 80 railroad-related fatalities each year, and that 50 percent of collisions between cars and trains occur at marked crossings with warning signals.

"The Western Springs Police would like to remind everyone to proceed across our local grade crossings in a safe and lawful manner," the release read. "Please obey all railroad crossing signals and set the example for other commuters and motorists. Remember—trails always win—don't violate warning signals!"

A Chicago woman when a Metra train struck her vehicle on the Gilbert Avenue crossing between Western Springs and La Grange.