About WI OL

Too many Wisconsin lives are lost each year due to railroad trespass and grade crossing incidents. Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver is about educating the public on making safe decisions on or near railroad tracks.

Our Mission

Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end death and injuries due to trespassing and collisions on railroad property. As a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization, we are devoted to saving lives and preventing tragic collisions at highway-railroad crossings and on railroad rights-of-way in the State of Wisconsin.

To accomplish its mission, Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver promotes the 3 E’s of Safety:

1. Education -- Operation Lifesaver strives to increase public awareness about the dangers around the rails. The program seeks to educate both drivers and pedestrians to make safe decisions at crossings and around railroad tracks.
2. Enforcement -- Operation Lifesaver promotes active enforcement of traffic laws relating to crossing signs and signals and private property laws related to trespassing.
3. Engineering -- Operation Lifesaver encourages continued engineering research and innovation to improve the safety of railroad crossings.

Why Operation Lifesaver is Needed

Thousands of people are seriously injured and hundreds are killed in highway-railroad crossing and trespass incidents each year in the USA. Many people are unaware that trains cannot stop quickly to avoid collisions. They take chances by ignoring warning signs, disregarding signals, going around lowered gates, or simply failing to pay attention when approaching highway-rail crossings. People also make the potentially fatal mistake of using railroad tracks as shortcuts or as places to walk or run for recreation. They may not understand how quickly and quietly a train can approach. Our safety tips can save your life – or the life of someone you love.

Our History

Operation Lifesaver began in Idaho in 1972 when the national average of collisions at highway-rail crossings exceeded 12,000. To address this tragic reality, the Idaho governor's office, peace officers and Union Pacific Railroad launched a 6-week public awareness campaign to promote highway-rail grade crossing safety. During the campaign’s first year, Idaho’s crossing-related fatalities dropped by 43%. It was the beginning of what would become “Operation Lifesaver, Inc.” the largest rail safety organization in the United States.

Within a decade the successful program had spread across the country, and in 1982 Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver was formed. Over the years the number of collisions at public highway-railroad crossings in Wisconsin steadily decreased, despite an increase in both train and motor vehicle traffic. But since 2020 it has remained steady at 40 Wisconsin highway-rail crossing collisions annually. While the number of injuries reported each year has continued to decrease, the fact is that even one collision or injury is too many. Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver’s goal is to bring that number down to zero.

Who We Are Today

Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver is now one of 50 states and a growing number of countries with active Operation Lifesaver programs. Through free presentations, community safety events, targeted videos, media campaigns and other railroad safety initiatives, Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver is working hard to prevent needless tragedies.

We have more than 50 Authorized Volunteers working throughout the State of Wisconsin, offering free specialized presentations to a wide variety of audiences, including school groups, new driver classes, mature drivers, community members, professional drivers, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders. Any group can request a free presentation.

Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver’s mission is supported by several railroads operating in Wisconsin, private citizens, state and national agencies, corporations, and our energetic team of volunteers and members. If you are interested in learning more about Wisconsin Operation Lifesaver, becoming a volunteer, requesting a presentation, or making a financial contribution, please contact us.

oli.org/safety-near-trains/volunteer
oli.org/request-presentation

Take The Rail Safety Pledge

Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train.

Make your communities safer. Take the Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Pledge today!

You Can Help #STOPTrackTragedies.

oli.org/pledge/kids
oli.org/pledge/adults