Springfield Operation Lifesaver results in 16 citations

(From the Springfield Police Department)

This morning, the Springfield Police Department partnered with BNSF Railroad officers and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office in Operation Lifesaver, which is a program aimed toward rail safety education. Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on rail property through a nationwide network of volunteers who work to educate people about rail safety. Law enforcement officers took part in this education process through enforcement of the Springfield city ordinance and Missouri state statute against violating motorists. Officers were positioned in areas near signaled railroad crossings and were also riding area trains. Twenty-four traffic stops were made due to violations being observed in proximity to a monitored crossing, and 16 tickets were issued. The BNSF Railroad, the Springfield Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind motorists of the legal requirements involving how to properly approach and cross train tracks.

RSMO 300.295 (Statute)
300.295. 1. Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:
(1) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train;
(2) A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train;
(3) An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing.
2. No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

106-283 – Obedience to Signal Indicating Approach of Railroad Train (City Ordinance)
Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of such vehicle shall stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when:

(1) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train.
(2) A crossing gate is lowered or when a flagman gives a signal of the approach of a train.
(3) A train approaching within approximately 1,500 feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from such distance and such train, by reasons of its speed or nearness to such crossing, is an immediate hazard.
(4) An approaching train is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to such crossing.