Violating Railroad Crossing Laws Now Has Higher Stakes
It is no secret that trains have the ability to create a massive amount of damage if any part of their operation goes awry. The fact that a driver is 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train rather than another motor vehicle makes awareness of the safety regulations and laws regarding railroad crossing imperative for safety. Illinois is the epicenter of the comprehensive rail system throughout the United States, with 41 companies currently operating in the state. The number of injuries involving railroads and traffic violations increased in 2015 prompting a crackdown on the laws surrounding railroad crossings.
Statistics Leading to the Increase
The number of railroad crossings in Illinois is staggering. When attempting to do a search of all of the intersections - public, private, and pedestrian - in Cook County alone, we returned with a number greater than 2,500. Statistics of incidents at railroad crossing such as these are as follows:
- 2,059 collisions with motor vehicles occurred in 2015,
- The number of injuries rose from 861 in 2014 to 967 in 2015,
- Fatalities decreased from 264 in 2014 to 244 in 2015,
- In Illinois alone, accidents involving trains increased from 163 in 2014 to 178 in 2015.
Failure to Stop at a Railroad Crossing
The familiarity of the signals that an oncoming train approach are second nature to Illinois residents. The intensity of the amount of highway mixed with the number of railways in the state puts the responsibility on the Illinois Department of Transportation to ensure functioning safety equipment. It is the responsibility of the motor vehicle driver to stop further than 15 feet from a crossing, but no further than 50 feet away, in the event of an oncoming train. Indications are as follows:
- A clearly visible electrical or mechanical device signaling the approach,
- The crossing gate lowers, or a flagman appears to block passage,
- The train blows a whistle indicating presence or speed, and
- The train or railway equipment becomes visible from the pass.
The law denounces going around, through, or under any opening or closing barrier at a railroad crossing.
Increased Penalties
Previously, proven failure to adhere to the stopping requirements faced was punishable as a petty offense with a fine of $250.00 for the first offense and $500.00 for each additional proven violation. The passage of SB 2806 in 2016 effectively doubled the penalties, requiring a fine of $500.00 for the first offense and $1,000.00 for each subsequent offense.
Traffic violations are added to a record and can stack up against you, requiring higher insurance rates and other additional penalties. With too many points on a license within a year, a license can enter into suspension status. It is always advisable to consult with an experienced lawyer to explore your options given your current situation. If you are interested in discussing alternatives with a proven and aggressive Addison, IL traffic violation defense attorney, contact Stringini & Garvey, P.C. today at 630-834-9595 to arrange your free initial consultation. We utilize over 65 years of combined experienced to defend our clients in Maywood, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Bloomingdale, and all surrounding Chicagoland area.
Sources:
https://www.fra.dot.gov/conference/trespass2012/pdf/Reference/Law%20Enforcement%20Guide%20Books/2012-0419-Illinois-Statutes-3-Across.pdf
https://oli.org/about-us/news/collisions-casulties
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/rail-system/index
http://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/traffic-ticket-fines-and-penalties.php
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-1201
https://www.icc.illinois.gov/railroad/results.aspx?v=&county=C031&s=&g=&t=
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/publicsite/summary.aspx
