Ohio Operation Lifesaver
About OH OL
Operation Lifesaver Ohio is a free Rail Safety Education program helping prevent & reduce fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings & along railroad rights-of-way.
Ohio Operation Lifesaver provides free public education regarding safety on and around railroad property. Please contact us to have one of our volunteers speak to your class, group or organization. We speak to groups from pre-school to adult. We can also provide specialized training for Law Enforcement, First Responders, new drivers, School Bus and Commercial Drivers.
Nonprofit Organization
OH OL Events
2025 Events.
Ohio OL always available for free presentations for your group,business, church or club. (contact to schedule)
Rail Incident & Safety Course (RISC) for first responders. OL offers 2 or 4 hour free classroom training specialized for our first responders. Law Enforcement can receive OPOTA CPT credit for attending.
State wide events.
Ohio Operation Lifesaver would like to be part of your Community events, Conferences, Trades show, etc. Contact the State Coordinator, Alan Stouder at oplifeohio@gmail.com or 419-551-6398.
Events we will be attending.
Ohio State Fair from July 23 thru August 3
See Tracks - Think Train week (formerly Rail Safety week) September 15- 22
Fostoria Rail Fest, September 27
OPOTA Conference, September 28 & 29
OTSO Symposium, November 3
Ohio School Board Conference, November 17 & 18
OH OL Safety Partners
Ohio Operation Lifesaver is grateful to its safety partners, who help raise public awareness of the need for caution around railroad tracks and crossings.
Thank you all the people and organizations who continue to support our rail safety education mission.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (National Office)Norfolk Southern Corporation, CSX Transportation, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, Ohio Rail Development Commission, Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Dept. of Transportation, Ohio Central Railroad, Ohio Dept. of Education, RJ Corman, Ohio OL Board of Directors and our phenomenal volunteers.
If you would like to become a safety partner, donate to our mission or become a volunteer, please contact Ohio Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Alan Stouder at oplifeohio@gmail.com or call 419-551-6398
OH OL Statistics
Ohio has around 5,100 miles of railroad tracks and over 5,600 public highway-rail crossings at grade. 70% of these crossings are active (lights or lights & gates) 30% are passive (Crossbuck & regulatory sign) Since 2020, 77% of all vehicle-train collisions in Ohio have occured at ACTIVE crossings.
Vehicle-Train Collisions
As of June 30, 2025. Ohio has recorded 37 collisions (9th in the Nation) resulting in 13 injuries & 4 fatalities
62% happened at active crossings ( crossings with lights or lights & gates) 67.5% were aged 30-59 and 65% were Male drivers.
Top Counties: Cuyahoga, Delaware & Preble (3 each) Pike,Morrow,Lorain,Butler & Hardin (2 each)
Pedestrian/Trespasser Incidents
As of JUne 30, 2025. Ohio has recorded 12 incidents ( 15th in the Nation) resulting in 7 injuries & 8 fatalities.
Ages involved: 40-59 (42%), Not Specified (33%)
Top Counties: Sandusky & Lucas (2 each) multiple with 1.
