Operation Clear Track!
EPD Assisting in Nationwide Rail Safety Week
Education and Special Enforcement September 25
Since 2014, there have been three injuries and four train-related deaths in Eugene, including one in Eugene in May 2017. To help prevent these tragedies and in support of nationwide Rail Safety Week, Eugene Police will be conducting a targeted education and enforcement regarding rail safety on September 25, at two locations where there are more people travelling in the area and where there have been more incidents:
- 5th Street, near High and Pearl
- Whiteaker near Madison and Monroe
The event will provide a platform for reminding travelers about railway safety and rules surrounding railways. September 23-29 is Rail Safety Week nationally and Eugene Police Traffic Enforcement Team will be doing their part to ensure people are more aware of the need to respect the rules around trains, because those rules prevent injury and death. They will more specifically be ensuring people using all modes of travel obey the railroad crossing traffic devices and arms, and stay out of the railroad’s right-of-way, and don’t use it for shortcuts. Not only are Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment private property, they can also be dangerous to walk or play in and trespassers can be arrested and fined.
Please notify authorities if you see a railroad crossing arm or signal is broken by calling 911.
Operation Lifesaver Track Facts and Tips
- The ONLY legal, safe place to cross tracks is at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
- Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks, rights-of-way or through tunnels.
- Do not walk, jog, hunt, fish or bungee jump on railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges; there is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass.
- Do not attempt to jump aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb, or your life.
HERE IS A GOOD RESOURCE FOR STATISTICS REGARDING RAILROADS – FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION:
- https://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/publicsite/Query/CasualitiesReport.aspx
Fines and Fees
Criminal Trespass in the First Degree (remaining unlawfully upon railroad yards, tracks, bridges or rights of way – Fine $790/Jailable
Failure to Obey a Railroad Signal (pedestrian) 814.030, with presumptive fine of $150 in Eugene Municipal Court.
(1) A pedestrian commits the offense of pedestrian failure to obey bridge or railroad signal if the pedestrian does any of the following: (a) Enters or remains upon a bridge or approach to a bridge beyond the bridge signal, gate or barricade after a bridge operation signal has been given. (b) Passes through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a bridge or railroad grade crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or being opened or closed. (2) The offense described in this section, pedestrian failure to obey bridge or railroad signal, is a Class D traffic violation.
811.455 Failure to stop at RR signal 811.455, with presumptive fine of $300
(1) A person commits the offense of failure to stop for a railroad signal if the person fails to comply with any of the following requirements:
(a) A person who is driving a vehicle must stop the vehicle at a clearly marked stop line on the near side of a railroad crossing or, if there is no clearly marked stop line, not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the crossing under any of the following circumstances:
(A) When a clearly visible electric or mechanical signal is given by a device that warns of the immediate approach of a railroad train or other on-track equipment.
(B) Upon the lowering of a crossing gate.
(C) When a signal given by a flagger or police officer indicates the approach or passage of a railroad train or other on-track equipment.
(D) When an approaching train or other on-track equipment is clearly visible and because of its nearness to the crossing is an immediate hazard.
(E) When an audible signal is given by an approaching railroad train or other on-track equipment because its speed or nearness to the crossing is an immediate hazard.
(b) A driver who has stopped for the passing of a train or other on-track equipment at a railroad grade crossing in accordance with the provisions of this section may not proceed across the railroad tracks until the driver can do so safely.
(c) A person may not drive any vehicle through, around or under a crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.
(2) The offense described in this section, failure to stop for a railroad signal, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §648; 1985 c.16 §317; 1995 c.383 §71; 1997 c.249 §232; 2001 c.492 §3; 2017 c.176 §1]
Prohibited Stopping, Standing and Parking., 5.225, $25 towable
- Except as authorized by a parking space rental permit issued in accordance with section 5.350, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in such a manner or location that it constitutes a hazard to public safety or an obstruction to vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian traffic on the street, which shall include, but not be limited to, stopping, standing or parking: On a sidewalk; Within an intersection; On a crosswalk; Along side or opposite a street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic; a bridge or other elevated structure used as a street or within a street tunnel; On any railroad tracks or within 7.5 feet of the nearest rail at a time when the parking of vehicles would conflict with railroad operations or repair of the railroad tracks.
Trains - Jumping On or Off, 4.945, with fine of $90 - No person shall climb, jump or get on or off, or attempt to climb, jump or get on or off, a railroad coach, car or train while it is in motion or switching. Nothing in this section shall apply to employees or passengers getting on or off trains.