Cops on Rails, officer on the train
It is never a good time to try and beat a train across railroad tracks, especially when law enforcement officers are on the train looking for drivers who fail to stop for an approaching train.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office is working with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and the Kansas Highway Patrol will watch the tracks from 10:30 a.m. Tuesday until 1:30 p.m.
Deputies will ride the trains to observe and report drivers who fail to stop for approaching trains. The fines are hefty. Violations carries a $195 fine in addition to $100 court costs.
The “Cops on Rails/Officer on the Train” is a continuing effort by the sheriff’s office and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to enhance awareness and promote safe driving habits. The Sheriff's Office provided six rules to follow when near a railroad crossing:
- Never drive around lowered gates – it’s illegal and deadly.
- If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and far away from the tracks. Move away from the tracks in the direction from which the train is approaching. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance
- Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly. Even if the locomotive engineer sees you, a freight train moving at 55 miles per hour can take a mile or more to stop once the emergency brakes are applied. That’s at least 18 football fields.
- Always expect a train. Freight trains do not follow set schedules.
- Never race a train to the crossing – even if you tie, you lose.
- Always look and listen in both directions before trying to cross any railroad track.
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