Buffalo Grove, Metra police team for rail safety event June 30

Buffalo Grove police and Metra's Safety and Police Department will team up Thursday, June 30, to host an event at the Buffalo Grove Metra station to help educate commuters and drivers about rail crossing safety and related issues.

The Operation Lifesaver Station Safety Blitz will take place from 5:35 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the station, 825 Commerce Court, in Buffalo Grove.

According to the police department, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours in the United States. In 2015, Illinois ranked third for the number of vehicle or pedestrian collisions with trains - there were 140 incidents which resulted in 24 deaths and 79 injuries.

Representatives of the two departments will distribute educational materials related to train and grade crossing safety, answer commuters' questions and listen to any safety concerns they might have. The goal for the event is to ultimately eliminate vehicle and pedestrian incidents at grade crossings and along railroad rights of way.