DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Rail crossing and pedestrian fatalities on railroad tracks are increasing in Illinois.
As of July 1, 2025, Illinois had 102 collisions, 20 deaths and 53 injuries.
Nationwide, the fatalities stand at 79, with 225 people injured. Illinois’ numbers are currently sixth in the nation.
Sometimes drivers will try to beat fast-moving trains across the tracks only to be struck by a fast-moving train.
“We’ve got freight trains coming through between 60 and 70 miles an hour, same with Amtrak,” Operation Life Saver State Coordinator Aisha Jackson told WAND News.
If your vehicle is stuck on the track, look for the blue Emergency Notification Sign (ENS) under the crossing warning lights. The ENS will have an emergency phone number and a six-digit one-letter number. The number gives the railroad the location of the crossing so dispatchers can warn a train of the stuck vehicle.
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