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 Posted - April 03 2013 : 11:30:36 AM
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Here in Virginia you never hear of stupid people doing this. I feel so sorry for the kids..
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/02/train-crossing-wreck-leaves-2-children-dead/2048317/
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 12:43:38 PM
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Very sad indeed.
What's the civil penalty for going around crossing gates? Do you get a ticket?
In most states if you run a red light, it's an expensive ticket.
A number of years ago, a mom was driving her a minivan with 4 children. A passenger train was coming, the train crew saw her speed up and try to beat the train to the crossing. No one in the vehicle survived.
The news people that covered the scene, timed a passenger train to see how long it blocked the road.
45 seconds.
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 1:06:35 PM
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| I just googled train accidents cars and I was shocked as Heck to see it happens more ofter that one would think.
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 1:30:26 PM
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quote:Very sad indeed.
What's the civil penalty for going around crossing gates? Do you get a ticket?
In most states if you run a red light, it's an expensive ticket.
A number of years ago, a mom was driving her a minivan with 4 children. A passenger train was coming, the train crew saw her speed up and try to beat the train to the crossing. No one in the vehicle survived.
The news people that covered the scene, timed a passenger train to see how long it blocked the road.
45 seconds. |
I would think now she'd be hit with several manslaughter charges. It doesn't make sense why people always seem to be in such a hurry. 
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 1:49:02 PM
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quote: quote:Very sad indeed.
What's the civil penalty for going around crossing gates? Do you get a ticket?
In most states if you run a red light, it's an expensive ticket.
A number of years ago, a mom was driving her a minivan with 4 children. A passenger train was coming, the train crew saw her speed up and try to beat the train to the crossing. No one in the vehicle survived.
The news people that covered the scene, timed a passenger train to see how long it blocked the road.
45 seconds. |
I would think now she'd be hit with several manslaughter charges. It doesn't make sense why people always seem to be in such a hurry.
Originally posted by DaCheez - April 03 2013 : 1:30:26 PM
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After the accident there would be penalties.
I mean what if someone went around the crossing gates and there was not an accident but, a police officer saw the vehicle go around the gates. Would that person get a traffic ticket? If so, is it a stiff a penalty as running a red light?
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 3:02:49 PM
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quote:
After the accident there would be penalties.
I mean what if someone went around the crossing gates and there was not an accident but, a police officer saw the vehicle go around the gates. Would that person get a traffic ticket? If so, is it a stiff a penalty as running a red light?
Originally posted by NC shortlines - April 03 2013 : 1:49:02 PM
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I remember about 20-25 years ago when I lived in South Carolina a frend was studying Criminal Justice and was riding with a police officer when someone went around lowered crossing gates. He got a ticket. And after seeing how close he came to becoming a grease spot on the highway, he commented, "I deserve a ticket." I don't recall how steep the fine was, though.
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 3:18:23 PM
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| Nothing can compare to the loss of a child though and she is going to have to live with that for the rest of her life.
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 4:09:07 PM
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I did a quick check, running a red light in NC is a $100 dollar fine and 3 points.
3 insurance points is tough. According to a web search; in California running around crossing gates carries a penalty similar to a DUI.
I was just wondering if the vehicle law was not enough of a deterrent. I'm guessing most folks don't run red traffic lights because of the possible fines. My reasoning is that if running crossing gates had a similar penalty then folks might not be tempted to do so. Apparently, taking a chance on getting hit by a train is more of a challenge, not a deterrent.
hey, those trains move kind of slow don't they.
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 4:56:39 PM
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quote:I did a quick check, running a red light in NC is a $100 dollar fine and 3 points.
3 insurance points is tough. According to a web search; in California running around crossing gates carries a penalty similar to a DUI.
I was just wondering if the vehicle law was not enough of a deterrent. I'm guessing most folks don't run red traffic lights because of the possible fines. My reasoning is that if running crossing gates had a similar penalty then folks might not be tempted to do so. Apparently, taking a chance on getting hit by a train is more of a challenge, not a deterrent.
hey, those trains move kind of slow don't they.
Originally posted by NC shortlines - April 03 2013 : 4:09:07 PM
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I think it's a "time" thing. At a traffic light cross traffic starts moving maybe 2 or 3 seconds after the light turns red. At a railroad crossing, depending on the train of course, there's maybe 15 to 20 seconds between when the gates come down and the train arrives. Plenty of time to cross, right?
This is purely speculation, but I think the driver assumed the gates had been activated by the sitting train.
Glenn
I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "... I drank what?"
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 9:38:14 PM
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This is why we needs quad (4) or longer gates at railroad crossings
Remermber that one about a year ago where the woman tried to beat the train & she was killed when TWO trains crossed at the same time 
If its a tie YOU LOSE!!
Train vs car is the same when a car runs over a pop can
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Posted - April 03 2013 : 9:46:58 PM
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| I don't feel sorry for anyone but the train crew in most of these cases, because getting hit by a train is an easy thing to avoid. But it's a shame that innocent kids died because of their mother's foolishness.
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 Posted - April 06 2013 : 02:44:32 AM
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quote:I don't feel sorry for anyone but the train crew in most of these cases, because getting hit by a train is an easy thing to avoid. But it's a shame that innocent kids died because of their mother's foolishness.
Originally posted by lvrr325Â -Â April 03 2013Â :Â 9:46:58 PM
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I believe the operators of the locomotive(s) will get mandatory days off after there's a fatality involved with their train.
I read a story, where the exact opposite happened:
Some city in Arizona, bells, lights, and gates shutting the four lanes of traffic down.
There was NO train coming.
There were NO drivers driving around the gates.
Someone made a call to 911 they relayed the message to... Union Pacific Railroad, who then, sent a Hi-Railer and regular highway truck to that crossing.
The time elapse was 45 minutes to an hour that the automobiles waited...
UP Railroad personnel manually raised the gates to allow traffic to resume.
The people who were late to their destination, their cars/license plates were recorded.
The employers were notified that there was a malfunction at the "said" railroad crossing, so that, when the employees arrived late, but ALIVE, were excused for being late.
The UP employees shook their heads in disbelief that NO ONE drove around the gates, and the traffic was backed up about half a mile in both directions.
The incident was televised... and gave the employers the back-up proof as to why their employees were late. 
Those who were not going to work, either cell-phoned or got to their destination, an hour later.
John
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
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Posted - April 07 2013 : 11:47:12 PM
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Would never be acceptable in NY. Everyone is in a rush, there is never an acceptable reason for being late. I am such a horrible city person because I'm courteous, I give way, I observe yielding and right-of-way laws.....
Good for AZ. That's the civil way to go about business. It would be good if the UP got there a little sooner though (ouch, an hour?), but I suppose that's just how it is
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