OHIO —  The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department of Transportation are reminding Ohioans to be cautious at rail crossings as Rail Safety Week begins.

Rail Safety Week runs from Sept. 18-24.

The state has 36 freight railroads operating around 5,300 miles of track with more than 5,600 public grade crossings. Ohio is the fifth leading state for goods transported by rail.

Nationwide, every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train with crashes at rail crossings potentially being more severe than other collisions and more likely to result in injury or death. In 2022, there were 61 train-vehicle collisions at railroad crossings in Ohio including four fatalities.

“The only thing that belongs on a railroad track is a train,” stated  Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chair Jenifer French in a news release. “Pedestrians and motorists alike should stay alert around crossings and make safe choices around trains.”

The campaign this year is focused on the safety of joggers, bikers and pedestrians.

“Rail Safety Week is an important reminder to all about the potential dangers of railroad grade crossings. We are grateful to Governor DeWine for prioritizing rail safety with the recent announcement of the Grade Crossing Elimination Program, which provides us even more resources to address grade crossing safety," said Scott Corbitt, Chair of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, in a news release.

The commission is partnered with state organizations including the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and Operation Lifesaver.

"We strongly encourage Ohioans to always expect a train when approaching tracks and help us to #STOPTrackTragedies. Stay alert, stay safe, and stay alive,” said Corbitt.

The state's guidelines for safety include:

• Always expect trains at crossings
• Walking on or beside tracks is illegal
• Crossing tracks on a bike, with a stroller, in a wheelchair or with other narrow wheels requires caution, officials recommend walking over riding when crossing the tracks
• Never pass flashing lights or lowered gates when at a crossing
• Multiple tracks may mean multiple trains, wait to cross until you can see both directions
• Stay off railroad bridges, trestles and out of railroad tunnnels
• Do not attempt to hop on or off railroad equipment at any time

“With Ohio’s extensive rail network and number of grade crossings, we have the responsibility to work with our transportation partners and communities around the state to promote the importance of rail safety,” said Jack Marchbanks, director of Ohio Department of Transportation, in a news release.

For more information about rail crossing crashes and safety, view the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio 2022 Rail Statistics Report.