NEW YORK (AP) Two U.S. senators want an increase in federal funds to lessen the dangers of railroad grade crossings.

Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut say they will introduce a bill that would improve safety at accident-prone crossings.

The Democrats' announcement comes 12 days after a Metro-North commuter train collided with an SUV at a crossing in Valhalla, killing six people including a Danbury man.

The cause of the collision has not been determined. But the lawmakers say more than 200 people died in grade-crossing accidents in 2013.

The senators say that if the bill is enacted, funds would go to the Federal Railroad Administration and to states and localities for new lights and signals as well as education materials.