Hanson Recognizes Rail Safety Week and Encourages Year-Round Rail Safety Practices

MONTGOMERY, Ill. – State Rep. Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, encourages his community and communities across Illinois to use Rail Safety Week (September 21-27) as an opportunity to learn more about rail safety and share important information with friends, family, and neighbors.

“Happy Rail Safety Week!” said Hanson. “I know from my experience as a railroad employee how important safety is. It’s my hope that this week we can take time to communicate with one another, especially with young children, about the need for safety precautions and the increased risk around trains. Accidents can happen very quickly. Similar to crossing a street, people in Illinois need to know to stop, look, and listen.”

Earlier this year, Hanson introduced, championed, and passed House Bill 3743, requiring school districts to include railroad safety messaging in their respective handbooks. This new policy includes information about existing laws on rail safety, best practices when walking or driving nearby or over train tracks, and other general advice to help avoid a train-related accident.

Illinois has approximately 7,300 miles of railroad track, 7,482 public highway-rail crossings and 3,280 private crossings. In 2025, the state recorded 134 highway-rail crossing collisions, resulting in 34 deaths and 27 serious injuries.

Hanson encourages residents to remember several rules throughout the year: always expect a train, stay off railroad tracks, use designated crossings, obey lights and gates, eliminate distractions around railroad property, and never assume a train can stop for you.

“Rail Safety Week may only last for seven days, but trains run 24/7, 365 days. It’s our responsibility to ensure everyone, from toddlers to seniors, knows how to stay safe when encountering trains and railroad tracks,” said Hanson.

Hanson’s rail safety legislation was signed into law this summer as Public Act 104-0590.

###