Full Notification

By: Raul Aguilar
Traffic Sergeant
May 30th, 2017
(415)485-3034
[email protected]

San Rafael PD to Step-up Enforcement at Railroad Crossings

San Rafael, CA – The San Rafael Police Department will be stepping up traffic enforcement at railroad crossings beginning the week of May 29th, 2017 in an effort to increase safety awareness.

The traffic enforcement efforts are being made after SMART employees and members of the San Rafael Police Department noticed numerous motorists disobeying the posted regulatory signs and stopping their vehicles on the tracks at railroad crossings. Strong and high visibility enforcement efforts have proven to be highly successful in changing driver behavior and lowering the incidents and accidents at railroad crossings. The San Rafael Police Department will be receiving assistance from the California Highway Patrol, Novato Police Department, Central Marin Police Authority, Mill Valley Police Department and Sausalito Police Department.
By law, trains always have the right of way because they cannot swerve, stop quickly, or change directions to avert collisions. A freight train travelling at 55 miles per hour takes one mile, the length of 18 football fields or more, to come to a stop once the emergency brakes are applied.
Drivers are encouraged to follow these safety tips;
• Be prepared to stop at all crossings.
• Slow down, look both ways, and listen.
• Understand the signs and warning devices.
• Check that you have enough room on the other side of the tracks for your vehicle to cross safely and never stop on the tracks.

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