Penalties May Hamper Crossing Safety

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.

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.

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.

For the full story, see the Nov. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.