Be warned - expensive traffic ticket!!!

[russholio]

Remember, the original post concerned someone getting a warning or citation for crossing arms not being all the way up before crossing the tracks. My advice was to check the law to see if it explicitly says that a person has to wait. Also, in the example of being tired at 3am, they gave several reasons for an officer to stop them. While being tired isn't exactly against the law, it is a factor in many crashes. Many studies have shown that tired driving is equivalent to having consumed alcohol. Also, 3am is pretty much "prime time" for those sneaking home after drinking.

I don't know how many people caught the History Channel show Deadliest Roads where Ice Road truckers drive in India. This was a great example of what would occur if it was a "free for all" on the roads. There was passing on blind curves, road rage all the time, etc. I, for one, am glad that on the roads that my wife and kids are on, that there is people looking out for safety and preventing chaos.

My point is, keep the heat on those that pass the laws, not those that have to enforce them. This is where we all have responsibility as voters. All of the laws that officers enforce are passed by your representatives. It kills me to hear about 1500 to 2000 page bills that are passed, and the legislators do not even take the time to read the darn thing.

Two thumbs up!

 

[nic]

Thank you for the warning. Have to agree with anonomoose- you all act like perfect angels who obey every traffic law 100% of the time. I call BS. You've never gone 5 over a speed limit? You've never fully rocked backwards at a deserted stop sign? Please. She wasn't trying to beat a train. Nor was she trying to squeeze in under the gates, or go around them. Use your brains people- if you've ever sat at a train crossing- you might remember how the train goes by... the gates are still down and lights are flashing... then they start to go up- they are quite large. So after waiting for a 10minute freight train, you go over the tracks when the gates are 98% up (and WAY over your car) and the lights are a second away from stopping- and you get nailed with $225 fine plus court costs. It was a warning. She was trying to help. Feel free to sit there an extra 30 seconds just to be safe (cause I'm so sure any of you do that) while everyone behind you lays on their horn (at least if you're near the Chi-town area). For those of us that have done this in the past and assumed incorrectly that it was ok/legal b/c the gates were going up and thought that was the 'all clear' (and unless you're a total moron, most people also do a quick check in both directions and the darn gates are STILL not up all the way) and would usually proceed- we should think twice next time.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

Thank you for the warning. Have to agree with anonomoose- you all act like perfect angels who obey every traffic law 100% of the time. I call BS. You've never gone 5 over a speed limit? You've never fully rocked backwards at a deserted stop sign? Please. She wasn't trying to beat a train. Nor was she trying to squeeze in under the gates, or go around them. Use your brains people- if you've ever sat at a train crossing- you might remember how the train goes by... the gates are still down and lights are flashing... then they start to go up- they are quite large. So after waiting for a 10minute freight train, you go over the tracks when the gates are 98% up (and WAY over your car) and the lights are a second away from stopping- and you get nailed with $225 fine plus court costs. It was a warning. She was trying to help. Feel free to sit there an extra 30 seconds just to be safe (cause I'm so sure any of you do that) while everyone behind you lays on their horn (at least if you're near the Chi-town area). For those of us that have done this in the past and assumed incorrectly that it was ok/legal b/c the gates were going up and thought that was the 'all clear' (and unless you're a total moron, most people also do a quick check in both directions and the darn gates are STILL not up all the way) and would usually proceed- we should think twice next time.

No one is saying they're innocent or perfect. Everyone speeds, etc., but if we speed and get a ticket we're not going to complain about it.

Saying that I appreciate the warning. I watched for this since reading this post and saw a lot of people "break the law". I will make sure I don't start moving until the gate goes up and the lights are off.

 

[jakester]

This mornings news-paper had a write up about RR crossings. In Illinois 17 people were killed at RR crossing, and that's not including the ones that like to leave the planet early and walk in front of them. Ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure. Unless you're in a real hurry- go for it! Just kidding, be safe you want to be able to ride the white stuff.

 

[catdog]

Can't stop

I just did the same thing. I was approaching RR crossing and the lights came on and there was no way I would have been able to stop my vehicle in time, so I went through, if a cop was there I would have gotten a ticket by Ill. law.