by Kevin Zimmermann
(WHBL) – With more that 3,300 miles of active train tracks and more than 4,000 public railroad crossings, the Wisconsin State Patrol wants you to keep your mind on safety, especially during National Rail Safety Week September 21st through the 27th, and railroad safety was given the “Law of the Month” title.
Sheboygan has had its share of rail crossing accidents, though none recently. But here, as in most cases, those crashes occur when drivers disregard warning signs or signals – that according to State Patrol Captain Ryan Chaffee. He says that because trains require considerable distance to slow down or stop, it’s essential to obey warning signs, eliminate distractions, and look and listen carefully before crossing railroad tracks. State law allows fines up to $400 for violating laws that require drivers to stop at a crossing when any warning device, traffic officer or railroad employee signals to stop, or for going through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier.
Tracks are private property and you can be cited for trespassing on them, plus you might want to give a little extra room at those crossings, as trains extend up to 3 feet beyond the tracks.
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