(a) There is established an Operation Lifesaver Committee which shall be within the Department of Transportation for administrative purposes only. The committee shall establish an operation lifesaver program designed to reduce the number of accidents at railway crossings and to increase the public awareness of railroad crossing hazards. Said committee shall consist of the Commissioner of Transportation or his designee, the Commissioner of Education or his designee, and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection or his designee, and six members appointed as follows: Two representatives of civic organizations, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, a representative of the railroad industry appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, a representative of a parent teacher association appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, a representative of a local law enforcement agency appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives and a local government official appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. The Commissioner of Transportation shall serve as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet at such times as it deems necessary.

(b) The Operation Lifesaver Committee shall: (1) Administer and operate the operation lifesaver program; (2) establish committees to promote the program on the local level; (3) educate the public with information designed to reduce the number of accidents, deaths and injuries at railroad and at-grade crossings; (4) encourage state and local law enforcement agencies to vigorously enforce the law governing motorist and pedestrian rights and responsibilities; (5) encourage the development of engineering and safety improvements; (6) encourage the maintenance of railroad and at-grade crossings; (7) make recommendations to the General Assembly implementing the purposes of the committee. The committee shall annually review its progress and submit its findings and recommendation to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation.

(c) The Department of Transportation may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section.

(P.A. 92-98, S. 1–3; P.A. 11-51, S. 134.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.

See Sec. 4-38f for definition of “administrative purposes only”.