WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia ranks twenty-first in the United States for miles of rails with 3,100 miles across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train; and

WHEREAS, over 2,240 highway-rail grade crossing collisions occurred in the United States in 2024, resulting in 260 fatalities and 745 injuries; and

WHEREAS, more than 60% of collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights and/or gates; and

WHEREAS, over 96% of all railroad fatalities occur from highway-rail grade crossing collisions and pedestrians trespassing on tracks; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has had a significant decrease in highway-rail grade crossing collisions, ranking twenty-first in the United States, down from thirteenth in 2021; and 

WHEREAS, it is important for citizens to be aware of the dangers of ignoring safety warnings at level crossings and trespassing on rail property to reduce avoidable deaths, injuries, and damage caused by incidents involving trains and citizens;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 2025, as VIRGINIA RAIL SAFETY MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.