Indiana State Police and Grade Crossings

[Anonymous]

Given all the current discussion of crossing accidents and litigation here I am reminded of the following:

A while back I had a chance to listen to a couple of Indiana State Troopers about their mission to reduce grade crossing accidents and violations in their area that has a busy CSX mainline in Madison County Indiana. The troopers in cooperation with CSX that assisted them in getting communications gear allowing the Troopers direct communication with CSX dispatchers and train crews. CSX Police also participated. The Troopers also received cooperation from their community and local media who helped them produce a short videotape about their directed enforcement program.

NOTE TO Mark Hemphill: Is there a story in this for TRAINS? I'm thinking there might be...

As a result of this initiative by the Troopers and local cooperation the number of citations for crossing violations issued by just these nine troopers working from one small substation and still performing their regular duties grew rapidly . The enforcement effort has already showed violation numbers dropping as people understand the consequences of their actions and the high penalty imposed (up to $500 fine plus court costs of $75 and 6 points on their driver's license).

The short video also contains great footage of Troopers asking people why they did it and their responses... My favorite was the guy in a hurry to get to a funeral.

LC

[Mookie]

You pinch a pocketbook, it hurts. Far more than a slap on your hand!

[espeefoamer]

Hurray for Indiana!I think other states should follow their example.It is a lot better to educate people than to mop up accident sites.

[Anonymous]

All I can say is there's nothing more sickening than the sound of a body bouncing off the locomotive pilot...

Problem is, you can't explain that to people...

My other favorite was the woman who just bought ice cream and was afraid it would melt while she waited for the train...

LC

[jchnhtfd]

Now if we could get more jurisdictions to take this problem as seriously as we do... but bravo for those troopers! Sounds to me as though this may be one of those things that they put together and presented up the ladder -- in which case, they each deserve a medal!

[Anonymous]

From what I recall from meeting two of the troopers that is exactly what happened. Last I heard they were in line for an FRA Safety Grant for their program.

LC

QUOTE: Originally posted by jchnhtfd

Now if we could get more jurisdictions to take this problem as seriously as we do... but bravo for those troopers! Sounds to me as though this may be one of those things that they put together and presented up the ladder -- in which case, they each deserve a medal!

[JoeKoh]

Ohio has state troopers that ride on the trains too.Like LC paper has printed some excuses too.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

If I could include fire works I would as crossing accidents do not
kill those in the vehicle but also passengers whom are not in control as
school bus,s ect.we need to be thankful for the people whom patrol our
highways as streets.

Always bring camera!
David Brown

[Puckdropper]

90% of the trains I see take less time to clear the crossing (start to finish) than it took for me to turn left at a stop light today. (3 cycles--rush hour...)

[Anonymous]

Anytime is train time.

It's good to see people getting educated about this stuff.
All to often while I'm railfanning I see people beating the train, luckily I haven't seen anyone been unsuccessfull at it yet.

[eolafan]

In the many years I have been "railfanning" the BNSF Eola yards, which has one grade crossing at McClure Rd, I have seen hundreds of idiots drive around the gates while lowered but have not seen any accidents yet (although I know there have been some as evidenced by the crosses at the crossing). I may not have seen any personally, but (God forbid), IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME!

[Anonymous]

....

[Anonymous]

Hmmm...Indiana wants meeeeee....

Lord, I can't go back there...

LC

[rogerhensley]

I took some shots of them making the video in Anderson on August 29, 2001and put the photos and wrie up on "Indiana State Police Safety Video" at: http://madisonrails.railfan.net/isp_safety.html

I was at the initial showing of the video in Anderson and was impressed with the quality.

[Anonymous]

Roger-

Thanks. Sgt. "Killer" Kowalski is an interesting guy. Great video...

LC

[rrnut282]

'bout time we got serious. I've got a few crossings up this way that I would nominate for targeted enforcment....

Funny thing is the people who insist on making trains go slow through town to feel safer about them are also the ones who don't want to wait at the crossing!