Penalties Could Undermine Rail-Crossing Safety, DOT Told
New regulations designed to reduce the number of truck-train collisions may have the opposite effect and contribute to an increase in accidents, federal officials and others warned last week.
The penalties could have a chilling effect on truckers who get stuck at a grade crossing, said Otto S. Sonefeld, program director for intermodal activities at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
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Since Oct. 4, truck drivers convicted of any of six offenses, including failure to slow down, stop or check for oncoming trains before entering a railroad-highway grade crossing, face suspension of their commercial driver license for at least 60 days and fines up to $10,000. The guidelines call for longer suspensions for subsequent convictions ("FHWA Lowers Boom on Rail Crossing Scofflaws," 9-13, p. 1).
The number of grade-crossing collisions involving trucks increased in 1998 even as the overall count declined. It has prompted the government and the transportation industry to work on an “always expect a train” campaign to educate drivers about rail crossing safety.
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