A proposed bill in Ohio requires a vehicle operator to watch, listen, and stop for on-track equipment that may be approaching a railroad crossing.
House Bill 226 applies the current penalties for failing to watch, listen, and stop for trains to failing to watch, listen and stop for on-track equipment.
On-track equipment generally includes large and heavy construction and cleaning equipment. Railroads often use this type of equipment for track repairs, can be as large as a train.
The bill requires a vehicle operator to stop between 15 and 50 feet away from the tracks for several reasons, including if a crossing gate is lowered or if a flag person gives off a warning that a train or other on-track equipment is approaching. It also requires drivers to stop if there is insufficient space on the other side of the railroad crossing.
The bill makes it a fourth-degree misdemeanor to fail to stop for a train, or under the bill, for on-track equipment.
