Another Railroad Crossing Crackdown Set for Next Week

Plainfield police will be conducting a third round of railroad grade crossing enforcements during the week of April 25.

In two previous crackdowns held since the beginning of the year in conjunction with the Canadian National Railway, police have ticketed anywhere from eight to 30 drivers for violating state laws, including stopping too close to the tracks.

Plainfield traffic Sgt. Eric Munson said there are several factors that contribute to trains colliding with vehicles, including motorists or pedestrians:

• Grossly underestimating the speed and distrance of a train and thinking there is sufficient time to get across the tracks.
• Trying to beat a train and getting stuck on the tracks or running into the side of the train.
• Failing to check if a train is coming from the other direction before crossing an intersection through which a train has just passed.
• Becoming "too familiar" with a train crossing and not using caution.
• Being distracted by things such as cell phones, GPS systems, loud music, texting devices and so on.

It's also important to remember that the reason vehicles are required to stop several feet away from the tracks is because train cars can extend beyond the tracks as much at five feet on each side, police say.

Depending on the nature of the offense, a motorist can be fined up to $750 and can lose their license for 30 days to three months.