Illinois Rail Safety Week-Pedestrian Safety

During Illinois Rail Safety Week, which runs from September 11-17, the Effingham County Sheriff's Office wants to promote safety for pedestrians around railroad tracks.

Operation Lifesaver offers some advice to help keep you safe when crossing railroad tracks:

--It is illegal and considered trespassing to walk on railroad tracks and in the right-of-way on either side of the tracks, or to climb on rail cars

--Trains overhang the tracks by three feet on each side and sometimes up to five feet on each side

--It is only safe and legal to cross the tracks at a designated public crossing with a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate. Crossing at any other place is trespassing

--Locomotives are sometimes not at the front of a train; instead, a locomotive may be pushing the train

--Do not cross the tracks until you can see clearly in each direction after the first train passes, because there may be a second train approaching

--You must wait until the crossing signals stop and gates go up to legally cross the tracks

--There are "quiet zones' at some railroad crossings. You may not hear a train approaching or you may believe the train is farther away than it actually is when in fact it is closer than you realize and moving faster than you think

--You must use extra caution when crossing tracks with a wheelchair, baby stroller, or with any other item that has narrow wheels. Always cross the tracks at a 90 degree angle and consider walking across the tracks if possible.

If you would like more information about Illinois Rail Safety Week, visit www.illinoisrailsafetyweek.org