Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Idaho State Police to Participate in Trooper on a Train Operation on Friday

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: 10/15/14 at 3:55 p.m.

MERIDIAN - The Idaho State Police will be conducting "Trooper on a Train" and "Adopt a Crossing" enforcement operation in cooperation with Operation Lifesaver and city and county law enforcement officers throughout the Treasure Valley on Friday, October 17, 2014.

"ISP is once again participating in this important enforcement operation with a goal to increase public awareness of the potential dangers that exist at railroad intersections and to eliminate driver actions that can have tragic consequences," said Idaho State Police Sgt. Scott Tulleners. "We hope that by letting the public know that we are focusing on enforcing the traffic laws that pertain to these intersections that motorists will 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 rail intersections as the train proceeds down the tracks. Other law enforcement officers 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 patrol car, with the information. That officer will stop the motorist, explain the dangers and issue a citation, if warranted.

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

Thus far in 2014, there have been 13 vehicle/train collisions and two incidents involving pedestrians in Idaho. Last year there were 19 vehicle/train collisions resulting in eight fatalities with five additional people injured involving pedestrian/train incidents.

The Idaho State Police and Idaho Operation Lifesaver are proud to partner in eliminating car/train collisions, which result in preventable deaths and injuries. Since 1990, enforcement programs such as "Trooper on a Train" and "Adopt a Crossing" 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.


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