OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC AT RAILROAD CROSSINGS; FINE
House Bill 6156
Sponsor: Rep. Ruth Johnson
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 8-26-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6156 AS INTRODUCED 5-30-02
House Bill 6156 would amend the Railroad Code of 1993 to increase the fine for obstructing traffic at a railroad crossing from not more than $500 to not more than $1,000, unless the railroad was willfully, deliberately, and negligently blocking vehicular traffic, in which case the fine would be raised from not more than $1,000 to not more than $4,000. The new fines would apply to violations of the same offences currently specified in the law.
More specifically, the statute stipulates that a railroad cannot permit a train to obstruct vehicular traffic on a public street or highway for longer than five minutes at any one time, unless the train is continuously moving in the same direction at not less than 10 miles per hour for not longer than seven minutes, or the railroad can show that the incident occurred as a result of an accident, mechanical failure, or unsafe condition. Further, a railroad cannot permit successive train movements to obstruct vehicular traffic until all traffic previously delayed has been cleared. In addition, a railroad company cannot permit its employees to allow the activation of active traffic control devices at a railroad grade crossing for more than two minutes if there is no intention to move a train or track equipment through the crossing within 20 seconds to 60 seconds after the activation of the devices. These offences would be retained under the bill, and violations of them would be assessed the higher fines.
MCL 462.391
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.