Chicago’s Metra will conduct Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at 41 train stations across the six-county region in 2026 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.

During a safety blitz, Metra employees will visit one of the railroad’s 243 stations during the morning rush hour, distributing educational materials on train and grade-crossing safety, answering questions, and listening to riders’ safety concerns.

“Safety is always Metra’s highest priority,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Safety blitzes allow us to reach our customers directly to ensure that they understand the need to stay vigilant about safety anytime they’re around the railroad. This year, we’re focusing on stations that we’ve deemed ‘high risk’ due to the number of reports of near misses and incidents at these locations.”

Promoting A Safer Rail System

Illinois has the nation’s second-largest rail system with more than 7,300 miles of railroad track and 10,264 public rail crossings.

In 2025, Illinois ranked fifth in the nation for train-versus-vehicle collisions at highway-rail crossings and third for trespassing fatalities. Preliminary statistics compiled by the Federal Railroad Administration show that in 2025, 25 people died and 43 people were injured in grade crossing incidents in Illinois. Another 44 people were killed, and 24 people were injured, while trespassing along the railroad right-of-way.

To help promote rail safety awareness and eliminate preventable injuries and deaths, Metra develops an annual schedule of safety blitzes throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Safety Blitzes

The safety blitz program’s primary purpose is educational. While station blitzes target commuters primarily, Metra is also planning this year to implement a new safety blitz program targeting schools near its tracks, the agency said. These events will feature tables set up outside of schools staffed by volunteers distributing safety materials and directly interacting with students.

Metra Police will also conduct additional enforcement blitzes at locations throughout the region, issuing citations and warnings to pedestrians and drivers who ignore gates and warning devices.

The agency also promotes safety through its annual Safety Competition for the region’s students. It conducts hundreds of free Operation Lifesaver presentations annually to schools, community groups, school bus drivers, professional truck drivers, emergency responders, and other organizations throughout the region.

Operation Lifesaver is a national organization that promotes safe behavior near the tracks by offering free rail safety education programs. The organization’s work is cosponsored by local, state, and federal government agencies, highway safety organizations, and America's railroads.