Louisiana State Police News V1

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Source: http://lsp.org/news_detail.html?id=1791

id cleanReleaseDate troopName title
1791 2010-07-22 Troop B Troop B Participates in Operation Lifesaver Enforcement Detail
LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE

Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent

TROOP B- NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Date: July 22, 2010
Troop B Participates in Operation Lifesaver Enforcement Detail

Troop BOn Tuesday, July 20, 2010 and Wednesday, July 21, 2010, Louisiana State Police Troopers participated in a joint enforcement event in St. Charles and Jefferson Parishes in an effort to educate the citizens about railroad safety. Troopers, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office and Special Agents with the Union Pacific Railroad partnered together and focused enforcement efforts on motorists who ignored railroad warning signals as trains approached and other related traffic laws.

Troopers issued seven (7) citations for disregarding railroad warning devices, seventeen (17) seatbelt violations and six (6) various traffic violations. There has been a decrease in violations for disregarding railroad warning devices however, citizens should always remember to look and listen as they approach any type of railroad track. Also, never stop on railroad tracks because, unlike vehicles, trains cannot swerve. Please remind children that railroad tracks are extremely dangerous and they should not play anywhere around them.

Last year, 11 people in Louisiana lost their lives in vehicle crashes with trains. This was the sixth highest number of such fatalities in the nation. Louisiana state law requires motorists to obey signals at railroad crossings that indicate an approaching train including flashing red lights and lowered gates. Failure to obey these signals may result in a $200.00 fine and 30 days in jail for a first offense with higher fines and increased jail time for additional violations. The fine for racing a train is $1,000.

For more information contact:

Trooper Melissa Matey
Public Affairs Unit
Louisiana State Police – Troop B
Office: (504) 471-2780
melissa.matey@dps.la.gov
www.LSP.org
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