| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 2956 | 2017-01-26 | Troop D | Officer on the Train Enforcement Detail in DeRidder |
TROOP D NEWS RELEASE January 26, 2017 Officer on the Train Enforcement Detail in DeRidder DeRidder, LA – This morning, Louisiana State Police Troop D and the DeRidder Police Department in cooperation with Kansas City Southern (KCS) conducted a railroad grade crossing enforcement detail on U.S. Highway 171 in DeRidder in northern Beauregard Parish. Troopers and officers were looking for drivers who ignored railroad crossing warning signals as a train approached as well as trucks carrying hazardous materials that did not stop and check for a train as required by law. During an officer on a train event, railroads work with law enforcement to bring officers into a locomotive cab for a unique, real-time perspective of motorist and pedestrian activity as a train moves through the community. Meanwhile, other law enforcement officers are stationed along the railroad right of way, watching for crossing and trespasser violations and issuing citations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of a driver’s home, and half occur within five miles of their home. A comparison of statistics from NHTSA and the Federal Railroad Administration reveals that a motorist’s collision with a train is far more likely to result in a fatality than a collision between two motor vehicles. During today’s enforcement detail, a total of 58 citations were issued including 57 for failure to obey a signal indicating the approach of a train and 1 for an expired driver’s license. Additionally, DeRidder Police arrested one person for possession of marijuana and arrested another person for an outstanding arrest warrant. Louisiana state law requires motorists to obey signals at railroad crossings that indicate a train is approaching including flashing red lights and/or lowered gates. Failure to obey these signals may result in a fine of up to $200.00 and up to 30 days in jail for a first offense with higher fines and increased jail time possible for additional violations. The fine for racing a train is up to $1,000. Additional enforcement details for our area are being planned. KCS, the DeRidder Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police are staunch advocates of Operation Lifesaver, an international, non-profit education and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroads’ rights of way. For additional information about Operation Lifesaver or its community education programs, please contact the Louisiana Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Claude Maher at 225-921-8381 or via email at operationlifesaver@la.gov. You may also visit the Operation Lifesaver web site at www.oli.org. Contact information Sgt. James Anderson Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section Office: (337) 491-2932 james.l.anderson@la.gov www.LSP.org www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice | |||
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