SC Effort Aims To Make Rail Crossing Safer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina is joining in the nationwide effort to prevent accidents at railroad crossings across the state.

Officials from the state Department of Public Safety and the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads on Wednesday join representatives of Operation Lifesaver for a series of news conferences across the state.

Operation Lifesaver is a nationwide public information program to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities at highway-rail crossings.

The effort now is focused on urging drivers to give school buses a break at rail crossings where buses are required to stop and look, even if a crossing gate is up.

The organization wants drivers to be patient and not to sound their horns or speed around stopped buses.