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House tightens rail-crossing language for malfunctioning signals, approves transportation safety bill
Summary
After questions about malfunctioning warning lights and school-bus safety, the House amended and passed first substitute Senate Bill 195, a transportation safety package that clarifies when vehicles and drivers may proceed through railroad crossings; the amended bill passed on final passage and will return to the Senate.
Representative Litvak (floor sponsor on behalf of the Senate substitute) and Representative (floor sponsor) described First Substitute Senate Bill 195 as clarifying traffic code in regard to active railroad crossings and rail-safety behavior. Sponsors said the bill makes it unlawful to enter or remain in an active railroad grade crossing when warning lights signal approach and to pass around crossing gates, and it amends criminal code definitions to include damage to transportation infrastructure as criminal mischief.
Members raised concerns about warning lights that flash without a gate lowering and the practical effect on bus drivers and other large vehicles. Representative Hendrickson, a bus driver, pointed out instances where lights flash but no train is present and asked whether passing in malfunction situations could be criminalized. Sponsors said the intent was not to criminalize reasonable actions when devices malfunction and described procedures for reporting malfunctions; they also explained that arms should lower within seconds of warning lights in normal operation.
Floor amendments narrowed certain provisions to address school-bus procedures and to permit a driver (especially school-bus drivers) to proceed under written district policy when signals malfunction and no gate or barrier is present. That amendment was adopted after motion; the bill, as amended, passed the House on final passage (71–0) and will be returned to the Senate for further consideration.
The sponsors said the legislation is aimed at improving public awareness and reducing accidents near rail crossings; they cited recent crossing accidents as impetus for the changes.
