It doesn’t take long to find a headline that makes the message of this week’s National Rail Safe Week hit home.

Just yesterday, in Lombard, a pedestrian was struck on the Union Pacific West line. We know from Metra tweets and media reports that inbound and outbound trains were halted, but as of today, we don’t know the status of the person who was struck.

Back in July, Batavia mourned the death of 24-year-old Charles J. Grimse, who died from injuries he sustained when he was struck by a freight train while on the Union Pacific railroad tracks west of the Randall Road Bridge.

According to a Metra news release, in Illinois, 26 people died in 2018 when they were struck by trains while trespassing on railroad property and 17 people died in 2018 when they were struck by trains at a highway-rail crossing.

Nationally, 819 people were injured, and 271 people lost their lives in the U.S. in collisions at railroad crossings.

There is a tendency to conclude that there’s nothing to be done about it, but part of the message of National Rail Safety Week — which runs now through Sept. 28 — is that such a conclusion is a fallacy.

Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said campaigns such as Operation Lifesaver can and do make a difference.

“It is important to reach out and educate people, especially our children, about how to be smart and stay safe around the railroad tracks and rail crossings,” he said.

This year’s campaign in Illinois centers around distracted driving. As part of the week-long effort, Metra is releasing a public service address showing the consequences of distracted driving near railroad tracks.

In addition, Metra is hosting events throughout the week, including the 14th Annual Safety Poster and Essay Contest Kickoff; an expansion of the “No Trespasser” signage program, to be placed along the right-of-way on all Metra owned lines; a night with the Chicago White Sox; and to highlight the importance of rail safety with the public Metra will perform station safety blitzes and conduct police enforcement details at various railroad crossings throughout the six-county region.

Metra will is working with the Illinois Chiefs of Police, Canadian National Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, the National Transportation Safety Board, SafeKids Worldwide (with Clifford the Big Red Dog), and Operation Lifesaver to raise awareness about rail safety in our communities.

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UPDATE: Batavia Mourns Loss of 24-Year-Old Struck, Killed By Freight Train

Metra Alert UP-W – Inbound and outbound train movement halted near Glen Ellyn, train #10 struck a pedestrian, extensive delays expected

— Metra UP-W (@metraUPW) September 23, 2019

In Illinois, 26 people died in 2018 when they were struck by trains while trespassing on railroad property and 17 people died in 2018 when they were struck by trains at a highway-rail crossing. Today and everyday, cross tracks cautiously. Keep it simple – Stop. Look. Listen. pic.twitter.com/oFhF23kSZk

— Metra (@Metra) September 23, 2019