How we started

The Illinois Operation Lifesaver program began in 1976. That year, we had over 800 railroad incidents and 96 people were killed, in 2010 collision totals were down to 125 and 27 people lost their lives. We are making a difference in Illinois.

Operation Lifesaver is an active, continuing public education program designed to reduce the number of crashes, deaths, and injuries at highway-rail intersections. It is sponsored cooperatively by federal, state, and local government agencies, civic and business organizations, the nation's railroads, and other groups interested in highway-rail safety.

To meet its lifesaving goals, Operation Lifesaver is designed to increase public awareness of highway-rail grade crossing hazards and improve driver and pedestrian behavior at these intersections. In conjunction with its educational phases, Operation Lifesaver emphasizes engineering improvements, including the installation and upgrading of grade crossing warning signals and signs, and the enforcement of existing traffic laws.

Education

Operation Lifesaver's success lies in educating people of all ages to the hazards at grade crossings. Methods used to reach the public include civic presentations, early elementary and driver education curriculum activities, school bus driver training, industrial safety, law enforcement training, and media coverage.

Enforcement

If existing laws governing motorist and pedestrian rights and responsibilities at highway-rail grade crossings are not enforced, they will be ignored and broken. State and local law enforcement agencies should be urged to "crack down" on motorists and pedestrians who disregard these laws and jeopardize their lives and the lives of others.

Engineering

Grade crossings must be kept as physically and operationally safe as possible, with improvements made where needed. The public should be educated about federal, state and railroad programs that plan, install and maintain grade crossings.