Wisconsin officials give safety tips during National Rail Safety Week

 

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Officials say a person is hit by a train every three hours in the United States.

That's why as part of National Rail Safety Week, officials across America want to make sure people stay aware when crossing railroad tracks.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the state has more than 6,000 railroad crossings.

Last year alone, 19 people were hurt and six were killed in crossing crashes.

Officials say it's important to always pay attention to signs and remember a train is closer and moving faster than you may think.

"You see a train and we're always in a rush and we forget that that train, it can stop but it can't stop quickly going 55 MPH. It's going to take a mile or more to stop," said John Plebanek, Union Pacific Senior Supervisor of Public Safety.