Our communities are far too familiar with the  real dangers of railroad crossings, and that’s why I’m cosponsoring the Safer Rail Crossing Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to improve safety at rail crossings to help prevent tragic, unavoidable accidents. 

Florida now ranks fourth in the nation for pedestrian injuries involving trains. In neighborhoods across Florida’s 21st District, we see high-speed rail lines and freight trains cutting through our communities every day. Far too often, unsafe crossings and outdated infrastructure put pedestrians, families, and commuters at risk, at times leading to fatal outcomes. 

Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Highway Administration to provide clear guidance and technical assistance on which pedestrian safety projects should qualify for federal funding. This way local governments can make informed decisions on where to deploy proven safety solutions, like better signals, barriers, lighting, and warning systems. 

This bill strengthens the Railway-Highway Crossing Program, helping local communities make the right investments for saving lives—without adding unnecessary bureaucracy. 

As rail systems grow, safety has to as well . Families shouldn’t lose loved ones because a crossing failed or because municipalities didn’t have access to the best practices for hazard correction.