Mission: Operation Lifesaver of the Dakotas is a non-profit, public education program established to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights-of-way.

Operation Lifesaver of the Dakotas is led by the North Dakota Safety Council and supported by a variety of partners, including federal, state and local government agencies, highway safety organizations, law enforcement and the nation’s railroads and their suppliers.

Operation Lifesaver of the Dakotas supports three critical principles:

• Education: Operation Lifesaver strives to provide education to people of all ages about the hazards at highway-rail crossings. Methods used to reach the public include civic presentations, early elementary and driver education curriculum activities, school bus driver training, industrial safety, law enforcement training, and media coverage.
• Enforcement: Along with education, enforcement is necessary to provide rules and regulations to motorist and pedestrian as to the rights and responsibilities at highway-rail crossings.
• Engineering: Highway-rail crossings must be kept as physically and operationally as safe as possible, with improvements made where needed. The public should be educated about federal, state and railroad programs that plan, install and maintain grade crossings.

Committee members represent the following rails and agencies: