Longview Police Team Up with UP on Railroad Crossing Safety Awareness

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad Police have conducted an enforcement operation aimed at educating the public about the dangers of not yielding to trains, according to an LPD news release. Police say it is important for citizens to keep safety in mind when approaching railroad crossings. On Thursday, July 17th, Longview and UP officers climbed aboard a Union Pacific train. As the train approached intersections, officers kept a lookout for motorists who did not yield, while officers on the ground initiated traffic stops on the drivers of the vehicles that were in violation. Nine citations were issued for violation of Transportation Code 545.251, Obedience to Signal Indicating Approach of Train.

Police remind citizens that the railroad traffic signals are there for everyone’s safety — and that when the signals are activated, everyone is required to stop and shall remain stopped at railroad crossings until permitted to proceed. It is a violation to drive around, under, or through a crossing gate while it is closed, being closed, or being opened.