MERIDIAN - On Friday, April 12, 2013, the Idaho State Police, in cooperation with city and county law enforcement officers, will be conducting an “Officer on a Train” and “Adopt a Crossing” enforcement operation throughout western Idaho.
The purpose of this enforcement operation is to increase public awareness of the potential dangers that exist at highway railroad intersections and eliminate driver actions that can have tragic consequences, by focusing on the traffic laws that pertain to these intersections. Operation Lifesaver leads a three part effort through enforcement, engineering and education, designed to eliminate car/train collisions.
During the “Officer on a Train” enforcement effort, one officer rides in the lead locomotive of a train as a spotter. This officer observes traffic approaching the highway rail intersections as the train proceeds down the tracks. Other 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 officer on the train radios the nearest officer in a patrol car, with the information. That officer 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 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.
Already in 2013, there have been 4 car/train collisions reported in Idaho, with 1 fatality. There have also been two incidents involving trespassing on railroad property or tracks which resulted in 1 fatality.
Since 1990, the “Officer 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.
Idaho Operation Lifesaver is dedicated to eliminating car/train collisions, which result in preventable deaths and injuries. For additional information visit the national Operation Lifesaver 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.
