Wednesday, June 11, 2014

"Trooper on a Train" Enforcement Operation at Rail Intersections This Friday

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Teresa Baker
Public Information Officer
Headquarters
700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 884-7122
Fax (208) 884-7087

For Immediate Release: 6/11/14 at 2:05 p.m.

MERIDIAN - The Idaho State Police will be conducting an "Trooper on a Train" and "Adopt a Crossing" enforcement operation in cooperation with Operation Lifesaver and city and county law enforcement officers throughout western Idaho on Friday, June 13, 2014.

"The purpose of this enforcement operation is to increase public awareness of the potential dangers that exist at highway railroad intersections and to eliminate driver actions that can have tragic consequences," said Idaho State Police Sgt. Kirk Grothaus, "We hope that by letting the public know that we are focusing on enforcing the traffic laws that pertain to these intersections that they always be more careful near railways."

During the "Trooper on a Train" enforcement effort, one trooper rides in the lead locomotive of a train as a spotter. This trooper observes traffic approaching the highway rail intersections as the train proceeds down the tracks. Other troopers pace the train or are parked at specified locations. When a motorist is observed violating the laws pertaining to approaching a rail intersection, the trooper on the train radios the nearest trooper in a patrol car, with the information. That trooper will stop the motorist, explain the dangers and issue a citation, if warranted.

The "Adopt a Crossing" program will also take place on Friday. Idaho State Police and participating city and county law enforcement officers throughout western Idaho will pick a rail crossing within their jurisdiction and focus on enforcing the laws that pertain to that crossing.

During 2013, there were 15 car/train collisions reported in Idaho resulting in two fatalities and two additional people injured.

Since 1990, the "Trooper on a Train" and "Adopt a Crossing" programs have been instrumental in helping to reduce the number of car/train collisions in Idaho. State and federal transportation agencies, city, county and state law enforcement officers, along with the private business and the railroads that operate in Idaho sponsor the Idaho Operation Lifesaver program.

The Idaho State Police and Idaho Operation Lifesaver are proud to partner in eliminating car/train collisions, which result in preventable deaths and injuries. For additional information on Operation Lifesaver and their prevention efforts on the railways, visit their national website at www.oli.org, or to schedule a free presentation for your school or organization, please call Idaho Operation Lifesaver at 208-236-5626.





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