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LEGISLATIVE MATTERS | State bills aim to improve rail safety

By Mahoning Matters staff
State Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown and Michael Sheehy of Oregon, Ohio.
State Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown and Michael Sheehy of Oregon, Ohio.

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Michael Sheehy, D-Oregon, and Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, introduced House Bills 194 and 195, legislation requiring freight train operating crews to consist of at least two people and revising other railroad safety measures.

This legislation has been introduced in previous General Assemblies, receiving several committee hearings, but it has never made it to the governor's desk.

The lawmakers say passage of the legislation will help cut down on operator fatigue, reduce the likelihood of fatal accidents and increase safety for rail workers and the general public.

"The safety of locomotive crew members and our communities must be our top priority," Lepore-Hagan said in a news release. "Getting rid of a crew member just to improve a rail company's bottom line puts all Ohioans at risk. Maintaining two-person crews on all freight trains will cut down on accidents caused by mental fatigue and save lives."

House Bills 194 and 195 have been referred to the House Transportation and Public Safety committee.

This story was originally published March 14, 2021 at 11:26 AM with the headline "LEGISLATIVE MATTERS | State bills aim to improve rail safety."